MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF OXYGEN-INJECTED VANADIUM ALLOY FOR APPLICATION AS STRUCTURAL COMPONENT MATERIAL FOR INTERNATIONAL THERMONUCLEAR EXPERIMENTAL REACTOR

The effect of oxygen injection on the mechanical properties of vanadiu m alloys was investigated. Tensile testing of oxygen-containing and re ference specimens were performed at temperatures up to 1000 degrees C. Results show that, in general, oxygen decreases the ductility and inc reases the ultimate tensile stress. TEM investigation of alloy microst ructures after mechanical testing was also performed. An attempt was m ade to relate quantitatively structural parameters (grain dimension si ze, density and distribution of secondary phases in grains and grain b oundaries) to measured tensile properties. Fracture surfaces have been investigated as well.