Effect of strain rate on the mechanical properties of CLAM steel in liquid PbLi eutectic

The liquid PbLi blanket is one of the most promising designs for fusion reactors and under extensive research in the world. China Low Activation Martensitic (CLAM) steel has been chosen as the primary candidate structural material for PbLi blanket in China. The effect of strain rate on mechanical properties of CLAM steel with and without liquid PbLi under Ar atmosphere has been investigated with slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) test at 480 °C. SEM observation showed the specimens tested in both environments exhibited ductility fracture with dimpled behavior. The primary tensile results tested with and without PbLi indicated that the uniform elongation of CLAM specimens was independent of strain rate, whereas the total elongation decreased with increasing strain rate. The strength properties tested with liquid PbLi under Ar increased with strain rate from 8.33 × 10−6 s−1 to 4.17 × 10−4 s−1, but which decreased at 8.33 × 10−4 s−1.