Fusion Materials
The ORNL Fusion Materials Program
The ORNL Fusion Materials Program is embedded in the Nuclear Materials Science and Technology (NMST) group of the Materials Science and Technology Division, also drawing support from other groups in MSTD. The core of the Fusion Materials program is a team of scientists, engineers, and technicians who specialize in materials science and technology for nuclear applications. The research expertise of the group spans the development of novel materials, evaluation of the property changes and physical processes of radiation effects, to computational modeling and extrapolation of materials behavior in fusion energy systems. The current material systems in the Fusion Materials Program portfolio include conventional and advanced steels, nonferrous metals and alloys, ceramics and ceramic composites, and materials for magnets, plasma control and diagnostic systems.
The NMST Group advances the materials science and technology base by conducting innovative research and development for a broad spectrum of nuclear fusion and fission power and fundamental science programs. One primary area of current studies supports research and development of structural, functional, and plasma-facing materials for fusion energy.
The fusion materials program also draws support from MSTD groups that focus on Materials Processing & Joining, Corrosion Science & Technology and Materials Theory. Groups outside of MSTD support Irradiation Experiment Design & Fabrication, HFIR Operation, and Hot Cell Operations.
Understanding fusion environment-induced damage mechanisms, especially neutron irradiation effects, and how they impose changes in materials is the overall goal of the Fusion Materials program. Knowledge of these damage mechanisms can lead to development of improved materials, design strategies that mitigate deleterious radiation effects - providing improvements in safety, lifetime, as well as increasing efficiency and performance of materials and components. This research consists of both experimental and theoretical work with a central focus on studying radiation induced changes in physical, mechanical and structural properties of materials through simulation, experimental analysis and materials characterization.
This program makes extensive use of neutron irradiation facilities in the ORNL High Flux Isotope Reactor, providing a partial simulation of irradiation expected in a D-T fusion power system. Separate experimental systems evaluate compatibility of solid materials with coolant and tritium breeding liquids and system gases. Other facilities simulate the high heat loads expected on fusion reactor surfaces. These experiments support the US program and collaborations with international partner fusion programs.
The NMST Group operates scientific instruments in unique radiological materials examination facilities including the Low Activation Materials Development and Analysis (LAMDA) laboratory, the Irradiated Materials Examination and Testing (IMET) hot cells facility, and various instruments and test systems in non-radiological laboratories. IMET is used for disassembly of HFIR irradiation experiments and for the mechanical testing of specimens with high levels of radioactivity; lower activity materials can be examined in LAMDA, without the need for remote operation. The LAMDA facility is dedicated to the characterization of radiological materials through thermophysical, mechanical and microstructural analysis utilizing a modern suite of instruments. The LAMDA lab operates independently as a separate cost center within the Materials Science and Technology Division structure, but with scientific advisory and instrument oversight provided by the NMST Group.
Annual Progress Reports
- ORNL/TM-2023/2970, Oct. 1, 2022 - Sept. 30, 2022
- ORNL/TM-2021/2352, Oct. 1, 2020 - Sept. 30, 2021
- ORNL/TM-2021/1837, Oct. 1, 2019 - Sept. 30, 2020
- ORNL/TM-2020/1456, Oct .1, 2018 - Sept. 30, 2019
- ORNL/TM-2018/1072, Oct .1, 2017 - Sept. 30, 2018
- ORNL/TM-2017/732, Oct .1, 2016 - Sept. 30, 2017
- ORNL/TM-2016/685, Oct .1, 2015 - Sept. 30, 2016
- ORNL/TM-2015/633, Oct. 1, 2014 - Sept. 30, 2015
- ORNL/TM-2014/447, Oct. 1, 2013 - Sept. 30, 2014
- ORNL/TM-2013/555, Oct. 1, 2012 - Sept. 30, 2013
- ORNL/TM-2012/514, Oct. 1, 2011 - Sept. 30, 2012
Semiannual Progress Reports
- DOE/ER-0313/73, Volume 73, December 31, 2022
- DOE/ER-0313/73, Volume 73, December 31, 2022 (Table of Contents)
- DOE/ER-0313/72, Volume 72, June 30, 2022 (Table of Contents)
- DOE/ER-0313/71, Volume 71, Dec 31, 2021 (Table of Contents)
- DOE/ER-0313/70, Volume 70, June 30, 2021 (Table of Contents)
- DOE/ER-O313/69, Volume 69, December 31, 2020 (Table of Contents)
- DOE/ER-0313/68, Volume 68, June 30, 2020 (Table of Contents)
- DOE/ER-0313/67, Volume 67, December 31, 2019 (Table of Contents)
- DOE/ER-0313/66, Volume 66, June 30, 2019 (Table of Contents)
- DOE/ER-0313/65, Volume 65, December 31, 2018 (Table of Contents)
- DOE/ER-0313/64, Volume 64, June 30, 2018 (Table of Contents)
- DOE/ER-0313/63, Volume 63, December 31, 2017 (Table of Contents)
- DOE/ER-0313/62, Volume 62, June 30. 2017 (Table of Contents)
- DOE/ER-0313/61, Volume 61, December 31, 2016
- DOE/ER-0313/60, Volume 60, June 30. 2016
- DOE/ER-0313/59, Volume 59, December 31. 2015
- DOE/ER-0313/58, Volume 58, June 30, 2015
- DOE/ER-0313/57, Volume 57, December 31, 2014
- DOE/ER-0313/56, Volume 56, June 30, 2014
- DOE/ER-0313/55, Volume 55, December 31, 2013
- DOE/ER-0313/54, Volume 54, June 30, 2013
- DOE/ER-0313/53, Volume 53, December 31, 2012
- DOE/ER-0313/52, Volume 52, June 30, 2012
- DOE/ER-0313/51, Volume 51, December 31, 2011
- DOE/ER-0313/50, Volume 50, June 30, 2011
- DOE/ER-0313/49, Volume 49, December 31, 2010
- DOE/ER-0313/48, Volume 48, June 30, 2010
- DOE/ER-0313/47, Volume 47, December 31, 2009
- DOE/ER-0313/46, Volume 46, June 30, 2009
- DOE/ER-0313/45, Volume 45, December 31, 2008
- DOE/ER-0313/44, Volume 44, June 30, 2008
- DOE/ER-0313/43, Volume 43, December 31, 2007
- DOE/ER-0313/42, Volume 42, June 30, 2007
- DOE/ER-0313/41, Volume 41, December 31, 2006
- DOE/ER-0313/40, Volume 40, June 30, 2006
- DOE/ER-0313/39, Volume 39, December 31, 2005
- DOE/ER-0313/38, Volume 38, June 30, 2005
- DOE/ER-0313/37, Volume 37, December 31, 2004
- DOE/ER-0313/36, Volume 36, June 30, 2004
- DOE/ER-0313/35, Volume 35, December 31, 2003
- DOE/ER-0313/34, Volume 34, June 30, 2003
- DOE/ER-0313/33, Volume 33, December 31, 2002
- DOE/ER-0313/32, Volume 32, June 30, 2002
- DOE/ER-0313/31, Volume 31, December 31, 2001
- DOE/ER-0313/30, Volume 30, June 30, 2001
- DOE/ER-0313/29, Volume 29, December 31, 2000
- DOE/ER-0313/28, Volume 28, June 30, 2000
- DOE/ER-0313/27, Volume 27, December 31, 1999
- DOE/ER-0313/26, Volume 26, June 30, 1999
- DOE/ER-0313/25, Volume 25, December 31, 1998
- DOE/ER-0313/24, Volume 24, June 30, 1998
- DOE/ER-0313/23, Volume 23, December 31, 1997
- DOE/ER-0313/22, Volume 22, June 30, 1997
- DOE/ER-0313/21, Volume 21, December 31, 1996
- DOE/ER-0313/20, Volume 20, June 30, 1996
- DOE/ER-0313/19, Volume 19, December 31, 1995
- DOE/ER-0313/18, Volume 18, March 31, 1995
- DOE/ER-0313/17, Volume 17, September 30, 1994
- DOE/ER-0313/16, Volume 16, March 31, 1994
- DOE/ER-0313/15, Volume 15, September 30, 1993
- DOE/ER-0313/14, Volume 14, March 31, 1993
- DOE/ER-0313/13, Volume 13, September 30, 1992
- DOE/ER-0313/12, Volume 12, March 31, 1992
- DOE/ER-0313/11, Volume 11, September 30, 1991
- DOE/ER-0313/10, Volume 10, March 31, 1991
- DOE/ER-0313/09, Volume 09, September 30, 1990
- DOE/ER-0313/08, Volume 08, March 31, 1990
- DOE/ER-0313/07, Volume 07, September 30, 1989
- DOE/ER-0313/06, Volume 06, March 31, 1989
- DOE/ER-0313/05, Volume 05, September 30, 1988
- DOE/ER-0313/04, Volume 04, March 30, 1988
- DOE/ER-0313/03, Volume 03, September 30, 1987
- DOE/ER-0313/02, Volume 02, March 31, 1987
- DOE/ER-0313/01, Volume 01, September 30, 1986