In this research, samples of an alloy with a bimodal structure were studied on the basis of a previously developed technology for obtaining hydrogen storage materials based on the Ti-Al-Nb system. The results of SPS of mechanically activated powder mixtures of the Ti-Al-Nb system at a temperature of 1300 °C make it possible to obtain an alloy with a predominantly bimodal structure. However, an insignificant presence of TiAl₃, AlNb₂ phases, and unreacted niobium is still observed in the structure. The mechanical properties of alloys of the Ti-Al-Nb system after sintering show abnormally low values of strength and ductility (less than 150 MPa). Two-stage heat treatment of alloys of the Ti-Al-Nb system leads to the decomposition of large precipitates of TiAl₃ with the formation of O-phase nuclei, as well as to the complete dissolution of unreacted niobium and AlNb₂ phases. Heat treatment of alloys of the Ti-Al-Nb system contributes to an increase in its strength by approximately 10 times (1310 MPa, MA-180), and ductility by 2 times (1322 MPa, MA-20). The surface fracture of samples obtained after testing is characterized by intergranular (intercrystalline) brittle fracture with “river” or “step” features.

The paper considers a method of tungsten surface carbidization using a beam-plasma discharge (BPD), which was implemented in a plasma-beam installation (PBI). The advantage of this method is to create conditions for chemical reactions and physical processes as close as possible to those possible in thermonuclear installations. The BPD makes it possible to generate plasma using different working gases. Methane was used as a plasma-forming gas. The working gas pressure in a chamber was (1,3–1,4)·10^–1 Pa. The temperature dependence of the carbidized layer formation on the tungsten surface under plasma irradiation was determined in the temperature range of 700 °C–1700 °C. The formation of tungsten carbides in surface layers was confirmed by SEM and x-ray diffraction analysis. It was found that interaction between tungsten and methane in a wide temperature range can proceed with simultaneous or sequential formation of the carbide phases W₂C and WC.

This paper presents the results of experimental studies of the interaction of helium plasma with a near-surface tungsten carbide layer. The experiments were implemented at the plasma-beam installation. The helium plasma loading conditions were close to those expected in the ITER divertor. The technology of the plasma irradiation was applied in a stationary type linear accelerator. The impact of the helium plasma was realized in the course of the experiment with the temperatures of ~905 °C and ~1750 °C, which were calculated by simulating heat loading on a tungsten monoblock of the ITER divertor under the plasma irradiation at the load of 10 MW/m² and 20 MW/m², respectively. The structure was investigated with scanning microscopy, transmitting electron microscopy and X-ray analysis. The data were obtained showing that the surface morphology changed due to the erosion. It was found that the carbidization extremely impacted the plasma–tungsten interaction, as the plasma–tungsten interaction with the carbide layer led to the carbon sputtering and partial diffusion towards to the depth of the sample. According to these results, WC-based tungsten carbide is less protected against fracture by helium than W and W₂C. An increase in temperature leads to much more extensive surface damage accompanied by the formation of molten and recrystallized flanges.

The set of experiments using a glow discharge of direct current in the mixture of working gases (nitrogen-hydrogen) was carried out in order to choose optimal method of tungsten nitriding. In the result of experiments it was chosen nitriding mode which leads to formation of tungsten nitrides on the surface of irradiated sample. Analysis methods SEM, EDS, X-ray diffraction were used to determine parameters such as the structure, microhardness, phase and element composition of the irradiated tungsten surface, and also the depth of nitrogen penetration into tungsten. The mode of tungsten nitriding, which can be used for studying the effect of plasma and thermal influence on nitrided surface of tungsten (forming of tungsten “fuzz” at nitrided tungsten, sputtering of nitrided tungsten) was determined.

This paper presents the research results of hydrogen plasma effect on the surface structure of the TGP-56 beryllium. In the linear simulator, the operating conditions of the first wall of ITER are simulated. Beryllium was irradiated with hydrogen plasma at surface temperatures of ~360 °C, ~800 °C, and ~1200 °C, depending on its location in the ITER chamber; with a different number of pulses with a duration of each pulse of 500 s. Samples of irradiated beryllium were subjected to a set of material studies. Experimental data were obtained on the change in the structure of the surface and edges of the beryllium samples after the plasma effect. It was found that at normal (2 MW/m²) and increased (4.7 MW/m²) heat fluxes on the first wall of the ITER, the edges and beryllium surface have good resistance to erosion. Under critical conditions close to the melting point, beryllium strongly erodes and evaporates. It has been established that this material has a high resource resistance to hydrogen plasma effect in the ITER under operating conditions.