The reduced activation ferritic martensitic steel EUROFER 97 is currently considered as a reference material for the first wall and structural components of future fusion reactors. These wall materials should be compatible with high neutron fluences to minimise the necessary replacement of the in-vessel components and should be of a low-activation type. The novel composite SiC/EUROFER 97 may allow an increase of the operation temperature of the steel, which is essential for efficient energy production. The aim of the work was to develop a thermally stable interface between the SiC fibre and the EUROFER matrix. The main problem was found to be C diffusion into the steel from the outer fibre coating. Different metallic and ceramic interlayers were selected as a diffusion barrier to suppress C diffusion into the matrix. To make an examination of the coatings with a number of different analysis methods (Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray energy dispersive analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, Ion beam analysis), planar samples instead of fibres were coated by magnetron sputtering and then annealed at different temperatures up to 1000°C.
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The reduced activation ferritic martensitic steel EUROFER 97 is currently considered as a reference material for the first wall and structural components of future fusion reactors. These wall materials should be compatible with high neutron fluences to minimise the necessary replacement of the in-vessel components and should be of a low-activation type. The novel composite SiC/EUROFER 97 may allow an increase of the operation temperature of the steel, which is essential for efficient energy prod...
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