Microstructure refinement effect on EUROFER 97 steel for nuclear fusion application

In Europe EUROFER 97 has been recognised as reference steel for the nuclear costructions under high radiation density for first wall of a fast breeder reactors as well as in other high stressed primary structures such as the divertors, blanklet and vessels. Following to this a EUROFER 97 detailed knowledge of the microstructure evolution after thermo-mechanical processing is required, because the material mechanical properties are interesting also for innovative solar plants, i.e. NEXTOWER project. A detailed knowledge of process optimisation is mandatory because EUROFER 97 steel mechanical properties and microstruture are heavily influenced and improved (and easily affeted) by thermomechanical treatments. In this paper the effect of thermo-mechanical parameters on the grain refinement of EUROFER 97 has been investigated by cold rolling and heat treatment on pilot scale.