Ceramic breeder material development

Lithium-based ceramics have long been recognized as promising tritium-breeding materials for fusion reactor blankets. In particular, their high thermal stability and chemical inertness are favorable safety characteristics. The most important qualification for a candidate ceramic breeder material is most likely, the ability to withstand the rigors of long-term irradiation at high temperature and under large temperature gradients. As a group, the lithium-based ceramics have shown good irradiation behaviour and excellent tritium release characteristics. Individual materials performance will depend upon the actual application, namely, pebble bed versus pellet concept, higher versus lower cooling temperature, etc. Recently Li2ZrO3 and Li2TiO3 were selected as the breeder material for the ITER breeding blanket due to their excellent tritium release behaviour at low temperature. Issues being addressed in support of current blanket design studies will be highlighted.