Investigations into the radiogenic helium effect on mechanical properties a
nd structure of the Pd-alloy B-l have been carried out. For accelerated acc
umulation of helium in the alloy up to 3190 appm (simulating a long-term pe
rmeator operation (similar to6 years) when cleaning up the international th
ermonuclear experimental reactors (ITER) spent D-T fuel mix) the alloy was
saturated with tritium at room temperature. High tritium solubility was thu
s achieved at relatively low pressures. Research results showed that radiog
enic helium available in the specimens causes their hardening with signific
ant decrease in plasticity. Structural changes in the specimen material hav
e not been found. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.