Hydrogen interaction with the low activation ferritic-martensitic steel EK-181 (Rusfer)

Deuterium retention in and gas-driven permeation through the new ferritic-martensitic steel Rusfer EK-181 (Fe-12Cr-2W-V-Ta-B-C) developed in the Russian Federation is studied. The retention of deuterium was investigated in the temperature range of RT-773 K at pressures 10 and 10(4) Pa. The amount of deuterium retained strongly increases with increasing temperature. The permeation of deuterium through tubes of EK-181 was investigated at gas loading in the pressure range of 5 x 10(-2)-100 Pa and in the temperature range of 573-923 K. In order to study the influence of surface impurities the front surfaces of the tube were cleaned by an argon plasma discharge, as a result the permeating flux was increased by a factor of 3. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.