Investigation of radiation induced electrical degradation in alumina under ITER-relevant conditions

Abstract

An in-situ experiment investigating the radiation induced electrical degradation (RIED) effect in polycrystalline alumina is described. A Wesgo AL-995 polycrystalline alumina sample has been irradiated with fission neutrons to 1.4 displacements per atom (dpa) at 340-365°C with no evidence of RIED. The implications of these and previous results are discussed in terms of their impact on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), with the conclusion that RIED will be of no consequence during the basic performance phase of the machines operation. © 1995.