The overall objective of this subproject (SP) is to develop radiation resistant materials for protective and heat flux applications under very intense irradiation. Where possible these materials should be of tailored low activation composition.

The approach in this subproject requires fundamental understanding of key processes in radiation damage, which will be applied in the development, and investigations of refractory nanoscopically tailored bcc-metals. The targets for these metallic materials are

• stability under neutron doses of up
  to 150 dpa
• stability under intense high-energy
  neutron fluxes (above fission spectrum)
• operation temperature 700° C or higher
• high purity, tailored composition,
  low activation under irradiation

To arrive at these radically new materials, a fundamental theory and modelling approach regarding the materials design is chosen. Interaction with subproject 2 (heat sink materials) will merge the knowledge on radiation resistance into the design of heat sink materials. The radiation resistance of these heat sink materials will be determined.

Knowledge on new concepts of radiation resistant non-metallic protection materials for very high temperature applications will be investigated. The targets for these Carbon- and SiC-based composites for very high-temperature applications are:

• stability under neutron doses of
  up to 10 dpa
• operation temperature 1000° C
• stability and passive safety under off-normal conditions

Investigations will be focused on optimisation of the irradiation stability of the materials developed in Subproject 1 (self-passivating protection materials).