Investigation of thermoplastic deformation behavior and microstructural evolution of CLF-1 steel for fusion blankets

• This study focuses on the hot deformation behavior of CLF-1 steel under various processing conditions. • Temperature and strain rate significantly affect the hot deformation behavior of CLF-1 steel. • At a strain of 0.2, a strain rate between 0.1 and 5 s −1 and a temperature range of 1273–1373 K are identified as the optimum stable hot working conditions for CLF-1 steel. Reduced Activation Ferritic/Martensitic (RAFM) steel is widely recognized as the preferred structural material for fusion blanket modules. Among China’s primary candidate materials, Chinese Low-Activation Ferritic/Martensitic (CLF-1) steel requires further investigation of its thermomechanical behavior, which is crucial for its application in fusion reactor blankets. This study examines the effects of temperature and strain rate on the deformation behavior of CLF-1 steel. By using a hot processing map, microstructural evolution analysis, and energy efficiency evaluation, the optimal stable deformation conditions for CLF-1 steel at a strain of 0.2 are identified. These conditions correspond to a strain rate of 0.1 to 5 s −1 and a temperature range of 1273 to 1373 K. The identification of these stable deformation parameters provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing the hot-working process of critical CLF-1 steel.