REACTIONS OF OXYGEN WITH V-CR-TI ALLOYS

Fusion reactors have been proposed with a vanadium alloy as the struct ural/containment material. However, vanadium has a significant affinit y for interstitial contamination that could deleteriously affect its m echanical properties. The effects of oxygen pick-up in air and low pre ssure oxygen environments were investigated at 400-500 degrees C for t wo V-Cr-Ti alloys. As expected the studies showed that the room temper ature tensile ductility is reduced by exposure to air or low pressure oxygen environments. However, the magnitude depends upon processing hi story and subsequent heat treatment. Possible embrittling mechanisms s uch as gain boundary weakening or weakening of near-boundary regions a re discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.