Dependence of the phase composition in Be–Ti coatings on the concentration of Be and annealing temperature

Abstract This paper presents the results of synthesis and annealing modification of Be–Ti system coatings. Data were obtained on the changes in surface morphology, phase composition, and physico-mechanical properties of the coatings as a function of stoichiometric composition and isochoric annealing. The main objective of the study was to determine the behaviour of the Be–Ti alloy under thermonuclear reactor conditions. The coatings were deposited by DC magnetron sputtering onto samples of austenitic stainless steel. Coating samples containing 68–97 at% Be were obtained. Annealing was carried out at temperatures typical for the first wall of a fusion reactor (the plasma-facing surface). The newly obtained data made it possible to draw conclusions regarding the redistribution processes of elements in the titanium beryllide surface under exposure to fusion plasma. Moreover, the previously predicted Be 3 Ti phase was experimentally observed for the first time.