Tensile and creep properties of reduced activation ferritic–martensitic steel for fusion energy application

Abstract

Tensile and creep properties of a reduced activation ferritic–martensitic (RAFM) steel for Indian Test Blanket Module (TBM) to be tested in ITER have been evaluated. The tensile strength was found to decrease with temperature; the rate of decrease being slower in the intermediate temperature range of 450–650 K. Tensile ductility of the steel decreased with increase in temperature up to 650 K, followed by a rapid increase beyond 650 K. Creep studies have been carried out at 773, 823 and 873 K over a stress range of 100–300 MPa. The variation of minimum creep rate with applied stress followed a power law, ε´m = Aσn. The ‘n’ value decreased with increase in temperature. The creep rupture life was found to relate inversely with minimum creep rate through the Monkman–Grant relation, tr · ε´m = constant. The tensile and creep properties of the steel were comparable with those of Eurofer 97.