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Preparation and properties of LiH ceramic pebbles by combining pneumatic suspension and laser heating.

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Title: Preparation and properties of LiH ceramic pebbles by combining pneumatic suspension and laser heating.
Authors: Yi, Biao1 (AUTHOR), Xiang, Maoqiao2 (AUTHOR) mqxiang@ipe.ac.cn, Song, Shihao1 (AUTHOR), Hu, Xin1 (AUTHOR), Li, Jianqiang1 (AUTHOR), Zhang, Yingchun1 (AUTHOR) zycustb@163.com
Source: Journal of Materials Science. Mar2026, Vol. 61 Issue 12, p7893-7909. 17p.
Subjects: Lithium hydride, Pebbles, Microstructure, Pelletizing, Tensile strength, Laser heating, Ceramic materials
Abstract: Lithium-based ceramics are recognized as potential tritium breeders due to their high lithium content, low dissociation pressure, sufficient thermal stability, and radiation stability. Nevertheless, significant challenges persist in fabricating lithium hydride (LiH) ceramic pebbles, resulting in limited research progress in this domain. In this work, LiH pebbles were prepared by gas suspension and laser heating techniques. The appropriate laser loading power and effective suspension gas flow rate were studied, and the ceramic pebbles were characterized in many aspects by XRD, SEM, and ceramic strength tester. When the laser loading power is 70W, the gas flow rate is controlled at 1.1–1.3 L/min, and the suspension time reaches 30 s or more, a sphericity of 0.96 can be obtained. The research finds that the method of multiple cyclic melting spheroidization can increase the sphericity of pebbles to 0.99. The primary phase of the prepared pebbles was identified as LiH by XRD analysis, with trace amounts of lithium hydroxide also detected. The microstructure of the pebbles was characterized by SEM, and it was found that there were interconnected pores and pathways inside them, which could provide convenient channels for tritium release. The crushing load of the pebbles was measured to reach 38.9N by the ceramic strength tester, indicating that the pebbles have good mechanical strength. It has the potential to be used in tritium breeder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Lithium-based ceramics are recognized as potential tritium breeders due to their high lithium content, low dissociation pressure, sufficient thermal stability, and radiation stability. Nevertheless, significant challenges persist in fabricating lithium hydride (LiH) ceramic pebbles, resulting in limited research progress in this domain. In this work, LiH pebbles were prepared by gas suspension and laser heating techniques. The appropriate laser loading power and effective suspension gas flow rate were studied, and the ceramic pebbles were characterized in many aspects by XRD, SEM, and ceramic strength tester. When the laser loading power is 70W, the gas flow rate is controlled at 1.1–1.3 L/min, and the suspension time reaches 30 s or more, a sphericity of 0.96 can be obtained. The research finds that the method of multiple cyclic melting spheroidization can increase the sphericity of pebbles to 0.99. The primary phase of the prepared pebbles was identified as LiH by XRD analysis, with trace amounts of lithium hydroxide also detected. The microstructure of the pebbles was characterized by SEM, and it was found that there were interconnected pores and pathways inside them, which could provide convenient channels for tritium release. The crushing load of the pebbles was measured to reach 38.9N by the ceramic strength tester, indicating that the pebbles have good mechanical strength. It has the potential to be used in tritium breeder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00222461
DOI:10.1007/s10853-026-12355-1