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-773K at pressures 10 and 104Pa. 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 5×10−2–100Pa and in the temperature range of 573–923K. 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.