Vanadium alloys, investigated in the scope of application in fusion reactors, are potential candidates for fuel cladding of future sodium cooled or gas cooled fasts reactors. Then, in 2009, CEA launched a program aiming to assess this solution according to future reactor requirements.
Preliminary investigation of V-4Cr-4Ti plates was done at DMN/SRMA/LA2M (i) on a reference Japanese grade and (ii) on a specific grade fabricated for CEA study. Works haw focuses on recrystallisation structure after cold working (grain size and morphology, effect of annealing temperature), and on fine microstructure (occurrence of Ti(O,C,N) precipitation). In 2011, fabrication of vanadium tube by hot extrusion is planned to be relevant of the final cladding geometry. The proposed post-doc investigation aims to monitor the fabrication and to specify the impact of fabrication process on microstructure, recrystallisation dynamic and mechanical properties.