DOE OSTI · 2529504
High Radiation Resistance in the Binary W‐Ta System Through Small V Additions: A New Paradigm for Nuclear Fusion Materials
Abstract
Abstract Refractory High‐Entropy Alloys (RHEAs) are promising candidates for structural materials in nuclear fusion reactors, where W‐based alloys are currently leading. Fusion materials must withstand extreme conditions, including i) severe radiation damage from energetic neutrons, ii) embrittlement due to H and He ion implantation, and iii) exposure to high temperatures and thermal gradients. Recent RHEAs, such as WTaCrV and WTaCrVHf, have shown superior radiation tolerance and microstructural stability compared to pure W, but their multi‐element compositions complicate bulk fabrication and limit practical use. In this study, it is demonstrated that reducing alloying elements in RHEAs is feasible without compromising radiation tolerance. Herein, two Highly Concentrated Refractory Alloys (HCRAs) − W 53 Ta 44 V 3 and W 53 Ta 42 V 5 (at.%) − were synthesized and investigated. We found that small V additions significantly influence the radiation response of the binary W–Ta system. Experimental results, supported by ab‐initio Monte Carlo simulations and machine‐learning‐driven molecular dynamics, reveal that minor variations in V content enhance Ta–V chemical short‐range order (CSRO), improving radiation resistance in the W 53 Ta 42 V 5 HCRA. By focusing on reducing chemical complexity and the number of alloying elements, the conventional high‐entropy alloy paradigm is challenged, suggesting a new approach to designing simplified multi‐component alloys with refractory properties for thermonuclear fusion applications.
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Tunes, Matheus A. [Department of Metallurgy Chair of Non‐Ferrous Metallurgy Montanuniversität Leoben Leoben Steiermark 8700 Austria] (ORCID:0000000259885363), Parkison, Darren [Materials Science and Technology Division Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos New Mexico 87545 USA, Department of Nuclear Engineering University of California at Berkeley Berkeley California 94720 USA], Sun, Bochuan [Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering Clemson University Clemson South Carolina 29634 USA], Willenshofer, Patrick [Department of Metallurgy Chair of Non‐Ferrous Metallurgy Montanuniversität Leoben Leoben Steiermark 8700 Austria], Samberger, Sebastian [Department of Metallurgy Chair of Non‐Ferrous Metallurgy Montanuniversität Leoben Leoben Steiermark 8700 Austria], Frühwirth, Christoph [Department of Metallurgy Chair of Non‐Ferrous Metallurgy Montanuniversität Leoben Leoben Steiermark 8700 Austria], Tripathi, Shalini [Reactor Materials Group, Nuclear Sciences Division Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland Washington 99352 USA], Derby, Benjamin K. [Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos New Mexico 87545 USA], Baldwin, Jon Kevin S. [Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos New Mexico 87545 USA], Fensin, Saryu J. [Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos New Mexico 87545 USA], Sobieraj, Damian [Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering Warsaw University of Technology Warsaw 02‐507 Poland], Wróbel, Jan S. [Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering Warsaw University of Technology Warsaw 02‐507 Poland], Byggmästar, Jesper [Department of Physics University of Helsinki Helsinki 00014 Finland], Pogatscher, Stefan [Department of Metallurgy Chair of Non‐Ferrous Metallurgy Montanuniversität Leoben Leoben Steiermark 8700 Austria], Martinez, Enrique [Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering Clemson University Clemson South Carolina 29634 USA], Nguyen‐Manh, Duc [Materials Division, United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Culham Campus Abingdon OX14 3DB UK, Department of Materials University of Oxford Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PH UK], El‐Atwani, Osman [Reactor Materials Group, Nuclear Sciences Division Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland Washington 99352 USA]. 2025-03-07. High Radiation Resistance in the Binary W‐Ta System Through Small V Additions: A New Paradigm for Nuclear Fusion Materials. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202417659
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