Compatibility of tritium permeation barrier coatings with ceramic breeder pebbles

Abstract Reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steel F82H samples with tritium permeation barriers were annealed in contact with ceramic breeder pebbles at 550 °C and 700 °C for up to 32 days under purge gas. Cr2O3-formed F82H rapidly reacted to form three layers at 550 °C, and pure Fe projections grew with annealing time. Diffusion kinetics of O and Li were well fitted with Fick’s first law of diffusion. Er2O3 coatings did not react with the pebbles, but deteriorated by oxygen diffusion through the coatings. The impurity concentrations in the system and the coating thickness affect the coating compatibility in solid breeder blanket environments.