RESPONSE OF SOLUTE AND PRECIPITATION STRENGTHENED COPPER-ALLOYS AT HIGH NEUTRON EXPOSURE

A variety of solute and precipitation strengthened copper based alloys were irradiated to displacement levels of 34 dpa at 411-degrees-C, and 50, 100 and 150 dpa at 414-degrees-C in the Fast Flux Test Facility to assess their potential for high heat flux applications in fusion reactors. Several MZC-type alloys appear to offer the most promise for further study. For low fluence applications CuBeNi and spinodally strengthened CuNiTi alloys may also be suitable. Although Cu-2Be resists swelling, it is not recommended for fusion reactor applications because of its low conductivity.