Vanadium alloy has broad application prospects as a new material for fusion reactor cladding. This vanadium alloy is composed of 92% vanadium, 4% chromium, and 4% titanium. Compared with commonly used heat-resistant steels, vanadium alloys have various characteristics required for fusion reactor cladding. However, vanadium alloy pipe fittings are prone to fracture during processing, and are also prone to fracture after welding of the pipeline. The main cause of this problem is the inclusion of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and other impurities in the air and raw materials.
Research by China`s National Institute of Fusion Science has found that impurities can be removed from raw materials by evaluating and selecting appropriate manufacturing conditions. In addition, to prevent impurities from mixing with air, researchers have created a high-purity vanadium alloy in a vacuum or inert gas. Due to the higher purity, the ductility of the alloy is significantly improved, which can overcome the problem of fracture during processing and after welding.