The aim of materials research is to produce and further
develop new materials for the special conditions in fusion devices.
For example, for particularly exposed
areas of the plasma vessel, such as the divertor and the first wall, materials
and coatings are being developed which are heat-resistant, thermally conductive,
and resistant to physical and chemical erosion.
What is most important for the material performance
in a power plant is the load exerted by the high-energy fusion neutrons.
They penetrate the first wall and the blanket, where they deposit their
energy. In the process they activate the materials and induce perturbations
such as swelling, creepage, solidification, and embrittlement. The objective
of development work – in Germany primarily at Karlsruhe
Research Centre – is materials with high resistance and low activation.
Their composition should make activation as low and quickly decaying as
possible, thus allowing simple re-use or disposal.