Present status of beryllides for fusion and industrial applications in Japan

Beryllides have remarkable characteristics besides their low density, such as high radiation resistance, high chemical stability, low hydrogen isotope retention and good high temperature mechanical strength especially for fusion applications. In order to have a practical usage for industrial applications, it is important to compile a set of quantitative data on such properties. It is also important to develop fabrication and processing paths to assure the processing of inherently brittle beryllides.The characterization and manufacturing technologies development have been carried out mainly on the Be12Ti interemetallic compounds at the Be-rich side of the Be–Ti binary system. In the present paper, up-dated results on several properties are described for the compound fabricated by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and ingot metallurgy. Mechanical properties of the compounds having a duplex microstructure with neighboring phases are evaluated by compressive tests from room temperature to 1273 K. Radiation damage of the compound is preliminary studied by charged particle irradiation. Oxidation in air and the interaction with water vapor are evaluated. Thermal desorption of the deuterium is examined by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermal desorption spectrometry (TDS). Through these evaluations it seems that Be12Ti is superior as neutron multiplier with respect to pure Be metal.