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Robust Ceramic Coatings for Vanadium Alloys to Use in Lithium Cooled Fusion Systems--Composite Technology Development, Inc., 1505 Coal Creek Drive, Lafayette, CO 80026-2782; 303-664-0394
Mr. Craig Hazelton, Principal Investigator
Dr. Naseem A. Munshi, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-99ER82767
Amount: $100,000
Future Tokamak-based fusion research devices and power plants will use a breeder blanket incorporating vanadium alloy heat exchanger materials, and a circulating liquid metal, such as liquid lithium, for heat removal and tritium breeding. However, heat removal rates will remain unacceptable unless a robust electrically insulating layer between the lithium coolant and vanadium piping is developed. This project will develop a solution-derived ceramic coating for the vanadium alloy piping. This approach will allow for in-situ coating application, system compatibility, and reduced thermal stresses. Composite coating materials will be developed that match the expansion behavior of the vanadium alloy, eliminating thermally induced spallation and cracking that lead to a breakdown in electrical resistance. The Phase I project will evaluate and optimize several candidate coating materials and measure their electrical and thermal performance. Candidate materials include fusion compatible, electrically insulating, radiation resistant, ceramic composite coating. Material evaluation will include testing for tolerance of thermal cycling and electrical performance and estimation of liquid lithium compatibility.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Protective coatings for metals are essential to industry for electrical insulation, thermal barriers, corrosion resistance, and abrasion resistance. This technology should be useful for thermal barrier coatings for the conventional power generation industry, and for coating applications in the transportation, aerospace, paper processing, and other industries.