Sintering properties of beryllides for advanced neutron multipliers

Abstract Advanced neutron multipliers with low swelling and high stability at high temperature are desired for pebble bed blankets, which will impact the DEMO design features, especially the blanket operating temperature. Beryllium intermetallic compounds (beryllides) are the most promising advanced neutron multipliers. However, beryllides are too brittle to allow production of pebbles. Establishing fabrication techniques for beryllides is a key issue of advanced neutron multiplier development. Plasma sintering is a non-conventional consolidation process for beryllides synthesis. The sintering properties of beryllides were then evaluated. The formation of Be12Ti and Be17Ti2 intermetallics was identified using a mixture of Be and Ti particles for the plasma sintering method.