Fabrication development and usage of vanadium alloys in DIII-D

GA is procuring material, designing components, and developing fabrication techniques for use of V alloy into the DIII-D divertor as elements of the Radiative Divertor Project modification. This program was developed to assist in the development of low activation alloys for fusion use by demonstrating the fabrication and installation of V alloy components in an operating tokamak. Along with fabrication development, the program includes multiple steps starting with small coupons installed in DIII-D to measure the environmental effects on V. This is being done in collaboration with DOE Fusion Materials Program (particularly at ANL and ORNL). Procurement of the material has been completed; the world`s largest heat of V alloy (1200 kg V-4Cr-4Ti) was produced and converted into various products. Manufacturing process is described and chemistry results presented. Research into potential fabrication methods is being performed. Joining of V alloys was identified as the most critical fabrication issue for its use in the Radiative Divertor program. Successful welding trials were done using resistance, friction, and electron beam methods; metallography and mechanical tests were done to evaluate the welds