Synthesis of Be12Ti compound via arc melting or hot isostatic pressing

Industrial-scale manufacturing experience of titanium beryllide block for DEMO blanket application

“…This corresponds to 65-71% of Be-Ti composite TD. In comparison with hot extrusion [7,18], the obtained density is much lower, since Be and Ti powders were not supposed to deform so well at room temperature.…”

“…The difference in diffusion rates of Be and Ti atoms in Ti and Be respectively result in porosity in the former places of Be. An increase in Be porosity was observed in the cast Be-Ti pebbles after annealing and in the hot-extruded Be-Ti composite after HIP [7,9].…”

“…The work began with experiments on the synthesis of TiBe12, based both on the long-term experience on development of beryllium-based materials at KIT and on the know-how of tantalum beryllide manufacturing at UMP. The main conditions of titanium beryllide synthesis during HIP have been already determined in KIT [7]. UMP has successfully used CIP for the production of tantalum beryllide samples with Ø90 mm × 90 mm.…”

“…The graphite insert was initially supposed to provide easy drilling after HIP. In the case of a titanium beryllide solid block, drilling is more difficult due to the very high hardness and brittleness of TiBe12 [2,7]. After sealing the capsule, it was degassed at a temperature of 650°C.…”

“…Various methods for the manufacture of relatively small titanium beryllide samples have been tested by many researchers in the past: casting [3,[6][7], rotating electrode method [3,[8][9][10], hot isostatic pressing [7,11], vacuum hot pressing [12][13][14], and spark plasma sintering [15][16]. The current paper describes the first industrialscale manufacture of full-sized TiBe12 blocks obtained in cooperation between Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Ulba Metallurgical Plant (UMP) and their preliminary testing for thermal cycling stability.…”