Korean-Style RAFM Steel Comparison ... Pukyong National University Establishes Evaluation System for Structural Materials of Korean-Style Fusion Reactors

Professor Noh Sang-hoon.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Doo-yeol] Pukyong National University has embarked on establishing a core performance verification evaluation system for structural materials of Korean-style fusion reactors.

Pukyong National University was selected for the 2022 Fusion Leading Technology Development Project led by the Ministry of Science and ICT and is conducting the research project titled "Establishment of Fusion Material Ion Irradiation Testing and Evaluation System."

The project is carried out with Pukyong National University as the overall research coordinator, while Ulsan University, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Kookmin University, and Hanyang University each lead individual research and development tasks. It runs from May 2022 to December 2026, with government funding of 5.7 billion KRW allocated to the research project.

The ultimate goal of the research is to establish a domestic technology-based irradiation testing system using neutrons and ion beams for low-activation ferritic/martensitic (RAFM) steel, which is the structural material of core components in fusion reactors used for fusion power generation.

In South Korea, a Korean-style RAFM steel has been developed for fusion reactor design, and various characteristic evaluations have been conducted, making the establishment of neutron and ion beam irradiation testing and a material property database essential.

Pukyong National University is developing ion irradiation testing technology and establishing a testing and evaluation system for low-activation structural materials and welded joint materials, while Ulsan University is developing testing methods for microstructure and mechanical property changes caused by neutron and ion irradiation of fusion structural materials.

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute plans to enhance the high-energy ion beam irradiation facility based on a heavy ion accelerator for testing and evaluating fusion structural materials and to secure operational stability.

Kookmin University and Hanyang University plan to develop multidimensional simulation and defect generation analysis and prediction technologies for ion beam irradiation damage in fusion structural materials.

Professor Noh Sang-hoon, the principal investigator, said, "Through this research project, we expect to secure advanced testing facilities and systems that can be directly utilized in the research and development of fusion materials, contributing to the advancement of domestic fusion material technology and securing international competitiveness in the field of extreme environment materials."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.