The potential use of zirconium-based alloys in fusion power plants

Zirconium and zirconium based alloys have been used for many decades in the fission industry. Their main advantages over several other common engineering materials include: excellent corrosion resistance in aqueous environments; acceptable high-temperature mechanical properties and low thermal neutron absorption cross section. However, it would appear that the fusion community has given little consideration to this very well characterised and useful material. Whatever the reasons for the neglect, this paper is intended as a reassessment of zirconium-alloys and of their potential application in fusion power plants. It is hoped that, as such, it will promote further discussion and, perhaps, reopen the case for zirconium