The mechanical properties of V–4Cr–4Ti in various thermo-mechanical states

Using V–4Cr–4Ti as structural material in a V–Li blanket offers the blanket to operate at 350–750 °C with high thermal efficiency. This paper investigates ways to strengthen V–4Cr–4Ti and the thermal stability of the strengthening. Results show that the alloy could be greatly strengthened in a proper ageing process, with insignificant loss of ductility or even higher static tensile fracture toughness. Cold rolling is found to be another approach for higher strength. Both strengthening are thermally stable at not more than 500 °C. At higher temperature, the alloy in the sate of complete recrystallization shows better thermal stability than the alloy in solid solution state. For high performance of the V–Li blanket with good economic feature, the design of the blanket should consider to use V–4Cr–4Ti in various thermo-mechanical states in terms of the operation temperature.