Insulating Coatings Development for Vanadium Alloys for Use in Fusion Systems

50863-98-I Insulating Coatings Development for Vanadium Alloys for Use in Fusion Systems--Surmet Corporation, 33 B Street, Burlington, MA 01803-3406; (781) 272-3250 Dr. Suri Sastri, Principal Investigator Dr. Suri A. Sastri, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-98ER82678 Amount: $75,000 Reduced activation, resistance to radiation damage, accommodation of high heat loads and operating to temperatures of 650-700 C are some of the many attractive features for future fusion power systems, based on the self-cooled lithium/vanadium blanket concept. The problem of potentially high magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) pressure drop experienced by the lithium as it flows through the high magnetic field of the tokamak must be resolved. This project will apply thin coatings of four insulating ceramics on vanadium alloy test foils using two different techniques. The strongly adherent and thermodynamically stable coatings are expected to be effective in their functionality. The structure of the resulting coated test foils will be evaluated, and their compatibility with liquid lithium assessed. Phase I will evaluate electron metallographic structure, x-ray analysis of coating structure and electrical resistivity at room temperature. Phase I will also include evaluation of electrical resistivity and thermodynamic stability of the coatings on Vanadium in liquid lithium. It will also carry out post exposure analysis and analyze the relative performance of the competing coating structures proposed. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Insulating coatings to combat the MHD pressure drop will have immediate and direct impact on the DOE funded Fusion Energy Systems programs. The successful development of highly protective insulating coatings will have commercial and technological benefits throughout industry and the national and international Energy economy._