Mechanical property and irradiation damage of China Low Activation Martensitic （CLAM） steel

China Low Activation Martensitic （CLAM） steel is being studied to develop the structural materials for a fusion reactor, which has been designed based on the well-known 9Crl.5WVTa steel. The effect of tempering temperature on hardness and micro- structure of CLAM steel was studied. The strength of CLAM steel increased by adding silicon, and the ductility remained con- stant. Conversely, while CLAM steel maintained good ductility with the addition of yttrium, its tensile strengths were greatly degraded. Behaviors under electron irradiation of CLAM steel were examined using the high voltage electron microscope. Electron irradiation at 450℃ formed many voids in CLAM steel with basic composition, whereas CLAM with silicon steel did not change the microstructure significantly.