Mechanical properties of oxygen-injected vanadium alloy for application as structural component material for international thermonuclear experimental reactor

The effect of oxygen injection on the mechanical properties of vanadium alloys was investigated. Tensile testing of oxygen-containing and reference specimens were performed at temperatures up to 1000°C. Results show that, in general, oxygen decreases the ductility and increases the ultimate tensile stress. TEM investigation of alloy microstructures after mechanical testing was also performed. An attempt was made to relate quantitatively structural parameters (grain dimension size, density and distribution of secondary phases in grains and grain boundaries) to measured tensile properties. Fracture surfaces have been investigated as well.