Progress in development of CLAM steel and fabrication of small TBM in China

Abstract: China Low Activation Martensitic (CLAM) steel is being developed at the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences under collaboration with many institutes and universities. This steel has been chosen as the primary candidate structural material for the LiPb blanket and DFLL–TBM developed in China. The development and testing strategy for DFLL–TBM includes three stages: out-of-pile tests, tests in EAST, and tests in ITER. The joining of CLAM by Hot Isostatic Pressing Diffusion Welding and Electron Beam Welding is being studied in detail, and small scale panels of the TBM first wall and cover plate with flow channels are being fabricated. Properties of CLAM including fatigue crack growth, creep properties and compatibility with liquid LiPb are also being studied. Recent progress in these R&D activities is summarized. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]