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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).
- 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.
- 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.
- WC-Cu thermal barriers for fusion applicationsPublication . Dias, Marta; Guerreiro, F.; Tejado, Elena; Correia, J.B.; Mardolcar, U. V.; Coelho, M.; Palacios, T.; Pastor, Jose Ygnacio; Carvalho, Patricia Almeida; Alves, E.ABSTRACT: WC-Cu cermets have been devised for thermal barriers between the plasma facing tungsten tiles and the copperbased heat sink in the first wall of nuclear fusion reactors. Composite materials with 50 and 75 v/v% WC have been prepared by hot pressing at 1333 and 1423 K with pressures of 37 and 47 MPa, respectively. Microstructural changes have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The materials consolidated have also been evaluated in terms of Archimedes' density, thermal diffusivity, Vickers hardness and elastic modulus. Implantation was carried out at room temperature with Ar+ at 100 keV ion beam with a fluence of 4 · 1020 at/m2. The materials consisted of homogeneous dispersions of WC particles in a Cu matrix and presented densifications of about 90%. Incipient swelling in copper-rich regions have been observed on the implanted surfaces, however no significant changes have been detected by X-ray diffraction. Higher WC content in the cermet materials increased hardness and the elastic modulus. The cermets' thermal diffusivity was significantly lower than that of pure copper or tungsten, as desirable for a thermal barrier.
- Synergistic helium and deuterium blistering in tungsten–tantalum compositesPublication . Dias, Marta; Mateus, R.; Catarino, N.; Franco, N.; Nunes, D.; Correia, J.B.; Carvalho, Patricia Almeida; Hanada, K.; Sârbu, C.; Alves, E.Tungsten–tantalum composites with 10 and 20 at.% Ta were prepared by ball milling W powder with Ta fibers and by consolidating the milled materials with spark plasma sintering. The composites were implanted at room temperature with He+ (30 keV with a fluence 5 1021 at/m2) and/or D+ (15 keV with a fluence 5 x 1021 at/m2) ion beams. The materials were studied by scanning and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, both coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and by X-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and nuclear reaction analysis. The microstructure observations revealed that the milling operation resulted in severe fragmentation of the Ta fibers. Furthermore, during the consolidation process the Ta phase acted as oxygen getter and reduced theWoxide present in the original material. The surface of the tungsten–tantalum composites implanted with D+ remained essentially unaltered, while the materials implanted with He+ evidenced blisters on the Ta-rich regions. D retention in the composites increased with He+ pre-implantation.