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- The effects of tantalum addition on the microtexture and mechanical behaviour of tungsten for ITER applicationsPublication . Tejado, Elena; Carvalho, Patricia Almeida; Munoz, A.; Dias, Marta; Correia, J.B.; Mardolcar, U. V.; Pastor, Jose YgnacioTungsten (W) and its alloys are very promising materials for producing plasma-facing components (PFCs) in the fusion power reactors of the near future, even as a structural part in them. However, whereas the properties of pure tungsten are suitable for a PFC, its structural applications are still limited due to its low toughness, ductile to brittle transition temperature and recrystallization behaviour. Therefore, many efforts have been made to improve its performance by alloying tungsten with other elements. Hence, in this investigation, the thermo-mechanical performance of two new tungsten-tantalum materials has been evaluated. Materials with W–5wt.%Ta and W–15wt.%Ta were processed by mechanical alloying (MA) and later consolidation by hot isostatic pressing (HIP), with distinct settings for each composition. Thus, it was possible to determine the relationship between the microstructure and the addition of Ta with the macroscopic mechanical properties. These were measured by means of hardness, flexural strength and fracture toughness, in the temperature range of 300–1473 K. The microstructure and the fracture surfaces features of the tested materials were analysed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM).
- Gibbs-Thomson effect as driving force for liquid film migration: Converting metallic into ceramic fibers through intrinsic oxidationPublication . Dias, Marta; Rosinski, M.; Rodrigues, P. C. R.; Correia, J.B.; Carvalho, Patricia AlmeidaABSTRACT: Liquid film migration is of great practical importance in materials engineering. The phenomenon has been shown to depend on thermal gradients and coherency strain, but no single driving mechanism seems capable of justifying the whole array of experimental observations. On the other hand, the inevitable capillarity effects are often disregarded due to the unknown 3-dimensional geometry of the system. Here, we present evidence of liquid film migration governed primarily by capillarity through a microstructural setup of cylindrical interfaces that allows clear interpretation and modeling. The experiments rely on the strong oxygen-gettering ability of tantalum fibers dispersed in a tungsten matrix and on field-enhanced diffusivity provided by pulse plasma compaction. Tantalum scavenges the residual oxygen present in the W powder and, as a result, oxide films grow around the fibers. These oxide tubes, in liquid state during sintering, migrate toward the fiber axis and eventually become oxide rods surrounded by metallic Ta. The process is driven by the Gibbs-Thomson effect that generates the required composition gradient across the liquid film. An analytical description of the film evolution is implemented by combining the incoming O flux with capillarity-driven migration. Possible contributions from other mechanisms are examined and the relevance of the Gibbs-Thomson effect to the general phenomenon of liquid film migration is established.
- Elemental interdiffusion in W-Ta composites developed for fusion applicationsPublication . Mateus, R.; Dias, Marta; Livramento, Vanessa; Nunes, D.; Almeida Carvalho, Patricia; Hanada, K.; Correia, J.B.Tungsten (W) was select for an extensive use in nuclear fusion devices due to its low neutron activation, high melting point and sputtering threshold as well as low hydrogen inventory. Nevertheless, W is brittle at low and moderate temperatures, which results in abnormal thermal stress, component fracture and extra erosion under reactor operation due to inherent thermal cycling events. An attractive way to solve these problems involves the addition of other refractory metals in the W matrix and tantalum (Ta) is a natural candidate. It has a high ductility, toughness and radiation resistance relative to those of W and transmutes to W by high-energy neutron irradiation. Recently, IST proposed the production of W-Ta composite by mechanical synthesis.
- Consolidation of W–Ta composites: hot isostatic pressing and spark and pulse plasma sinteringPublication . Dias, Marta; Guerreiro, F.; Correia, J.B.; Galatanu, Andrei; Rosinski, M.; Monge, M. A.; Munoz, A.; Alves, E.; Almeida Carvalho, PatriciaComposites consisting of tantalum fiber/powder dispersed in a nanostructured W matrix have been consolidated by spark and pulse plasma sintering as well as by hot isostatic pressing. The microstructural observations revealed that the tungsten–tantalum fiber composites consolidated by hot isostatic pressing and pulse plasma sintering presented a continuous layer of Ta2O5 phase at the W/Ta interfaces, while the samples consolidated by spark plasma sintering evidenced a Ta + Ta2O5 eutectic mixture due to the higher temperature of this consolidation process. Similar results have been obtained for the tungsten–tantalum powder composites. A (W, Ta) solid solution was detected around the prior nanostructured W particles in tungsten–tantalum powder composites consolidated by spark and pulse plasma sintering. Higher densifications were obtained for composites consolidated by hot isostatic pressing and pulse plasma sintering.
- Blistering of W–Ta composites at different irradiation energiesPublication . Mateus, R.; Dias, Marta; Lopes, J.; Rocha, J.; Catarino, N.; Duarte, P.; Gomes, R. B.; Silva, C.; Fernandes, H.; Livramento, Vanessa; Carvalho, Patricia Almeida; Alves, E.; Hanada, K.; Correia, J.B.Pure tungsten and tantalum plates and tungsten–tantalum composites produced via mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering were bombarded with He+ and D+ energetic ion beams and deuterium plasmas. The aim of this experiment is to study the effects caused by individual helium and deuterium exposures and to evidence that the modifications induced in the composites at different irradiation energies could be followed by irradiating the pristine constituent elements under the same experimental conditions, which is relevant considering the development of tailored composites for fusion applications. Higher D retentions, especially in tungsten, and superficial blistering are observed in both components after helium exposure. The blistering is magnified in the tantalum phase of composites due to its higher ductility and to water vapour production under deuterium irradiation. At lower irradiation energies the induced effects are minor. After plasma exposure, the presence of tantalum does not increase the D content in the composites.
- Simulation, Structural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of the FeTiTaVW High Entropy AlloyPublication . Martins, Ricardo; Gonçalves, António Pereira; Correia, J.B.; Galatanu, Andrei; Alves, E.; Tejado, Elena; Pastor, Jose Ygnacio; Dias, MartaABSTRACT: Developing new materials to be applied in extreme environments is an opportunity and a challenge for the future. High entropy alloys are new materials that seem promising approaches to work in nuclear fusion reactors. In this work, FeTaTiVW high entropy alloys were developed and characterized with Molecular Dynamic and Hybrid Molecular Dynamic Monte Carlo simulations. The simulation results show that phase separation originates a lower potential energy per atom and a high level of segregation compared to those of a uniform solid solution. Moreover, the experimental diffractogram of the milled powder shows the formation of a body-centred cubic-type structure and the presence of TiO2. In addition, the microstructure of the consolidated material evidenced three phases: W-rich, Ti-rich, and a phase with all the elements. This phase separation observed in the microstructure agrees with the Hybrid Molecular Dynamic Monte Carlo simulation. Moreover, the consolidated material's thermal conductivity and specific heat are almost constant from 25 degrees C to 1000 degrees C, and linear expansion increases with increasing temperature. On the other hand, specific heat and thermal expansion values are in between CuCrZr and W values (materials chosen for the reactor walls). The FeTaTiVW high entropy alloy evidences a ductile behaviour at 1000 degrees C. Therefore, the promising thermal properties of this system can be attributed to the multiple phases and systems with different compositions of the same elements, which is exciting for future developments.
- Simulation and study of the milling parameters on CuFeTaTiW multicomponent alloyPublication . Martins, Ricardo; Gonçalves, António Pereira; Correia, J.B.; Galatanu, Andrei; Alves, E.; Dias, MartaABSTRACT: The CuFeTaTiW multicomponent alloy has been devised as an interlayer thermal barrier in nuclear fusion re-actors. In order to predict the phase constitution of this alloy, two different lines of work were performed: (a) simulation using Molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo and (b) study of the influence of mechanical alloying parameters on the structures formed. The simulation results show that the most stable structure is achieved starting from a bcc type-structure and using Monte Carlo simulation. In fact, in these conditions the separation into two bcc phases Fe-Ta-W and Cu-Ti is predicted at room temperature. However, the experimental preparation of the materials with mechanical alloying revealed that from 2 h of milling a single bcc phase is formed. The structure of the milled powder was not much influenced by the amount of the process control agent and the by the size of the W starting particles, but generally there was formation of Ta2H from the reaction between the powders and the process control agent.
- Hybrid molecular dynamic Monte Carlo simulation and experimental production of a multi-component Cu-Fe-Ni-Mo-W alloyPublication . Dias, Marta; Almeida Carvalho, Patricia; Gonçalves, António Pereira; Alves, E.; Correia, J.B.ABSTRACT: High-entropy alloys are a class of materials intensely studied in the last years due to their innovative properties. Their unconventional compositions and chemical structures hold promise for achieving unprecedented combinations of mechanical properties. The Cu-Fe-Ni-Mo-W multicomponent alloy was studied using a combination of simulation and experimental production to test the possibility of formation of a simple solid solution. Therefore, Molecular Dynamics and hybrid Molecular Dynamic/Monte Carlo simulations from 10K up to the melting point of the alloy were analyzed together with the experimental production by arc furnace and powder milling. The Molecular Dynamics simulations starting with a bcc type-structure show the formation of a singlephase bcc solid solution type-structure, whereas using Monte Carlo one, generally produced a two-phase mixture. Moreover, the lowest potential energy was obtained when starting from a fcc type-structure and using Monte Carlo simulation giving rise to the formation of a bcc Fe-Mo-W phase and a Cu-Ni fcc type-structure. Dendritic and interdendritic phases were observed in the sample produced by arc furnace while the milled powder evidence an separation of two phases Cu-Fe-Ni phase and W-Mo type-structures. Samples produced by both methods show the formation of bcc and a fcc type-structures. Therefore, the Monte Carlo simulation seems to be closer with the experimental results, which points to a two-phase mixture formation for the Cu-Fe-Ni-Mo-W multicomponent system.
- New WC-Cu thermal barriers for fusion applications: high temperature mechanical behaviourPublication . Tejado, Elena; Dias, Marta; Correia, J.B.; Palacios, T.; Carvalho, Patricia Almeida; Alves, E.; Pastor, Jose YgnacioABSTRACT: The combination of tungsten carbide and copper as a thermal barrier could effectively reduce the thermal mismatch between tungsten and copper alloy, which are proposed as base armour and heat sink, respectively, in the divertor of future fusion reactors. Furthermore, since the optimum operating temperature windows for these divertor materials do not overlap, a compatible thermal barrier interlayer between them is required to guarantee a smooth thermal transition, which in addition may mitigate radiation damage. The aim of this work is to study the thermo-mechanical properties of WC-Cu cermets fabricated by hot pressing. Focus is placed on the temperature effect and composition dependence, as the volume fraction of copper varies from 25 to 50 and 75 vol%. To explore this behaviour, fracture experiments are performed within a temperature range from room temperature to 800 degrees C under vacuum. In addition, elastic modulus and thermal expansion coefficient are estimated from these tests. Results reveal a strong dependence of the performance on temperature and on the volume fraction of copper and, surprisingly, a slight percent of Cu (25 vol%) can effectively reduce the large difference in thermal expansion between tungsten and copper alloy, which is a critical point for in service applications. The thermal performance of these materials, together with their mechanical properties could indeed reduce the heat transfer from the PFM to the underlying element while supporting the high thermal stresses of the joint. Thus, the presence of these cermets could allow the reactor to operate above the ductile to brittle transition temperature of tungsten, without compromising the underlying materials.
- The effects of mechanical alloying on the physical and thermal properties of CuCrFeTiV alloyPublication . Antão, Francisco; Dias, Marta; Correia, J.B.; Galatanu, Andrei; Galatanu, M.; Mardolcar, U. V.; Myakush, A.; Cruz, M. M.; Casaca, António; Silva, R.C. da; Alves, E.ABSTRACT: The present work reports the production and key properties of the CuCrFeTiV high entropy alloy synthetized mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering. The milled powders and the as-sintered samples were analysed through scanning electron microscopy, coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and particle induced X-ray emission. Magnetic properties together with electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity, specific heat differential thermal analysis were also evaluated on the consolidated samples. The powders reveal an increasing content in iron as the millings are prolonged up to 20 h. The elemental composition of the sintered alloy, determined through particle induced X-ray emission, confirms the final composition after mechanical alloying with an increase of iron and a decrease in the remaining elements. Furthermore, although the alloy presents electrical resistivity typical of a high entropy alloy, a ferromagnetic behaviour was found, consistently with major Fe content as detected in prior observations. Finally, thermal measurements show that this CuCrFeTiV entropy alloy possesses thermal properties suitable for its potential use as thermal barriers.