6533b7dafe1ef96bd126ddee

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Elaboration de matériaux à gradient de propriétés fonctionnelles pour les composants face au plasma des machines de fusion thermonucléaires

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The objective of this study was to develop a Functionally Graded Material (FGM) W / Cu to replace the compliance layer (Cu-OFHC) in the plasma facing components of thermonuclear fusion reactor like ITER. The peculiarity of this work is to elaborate these materials without exceeding the melting temperature of copper in order to control its microstructure. The co-sintering is the most attractive solution to achieve this goal.The first phase of this study has been to decrease the sintering temperature of the tungsten to achieve this co-sintering. The elaboration of a Functionally Graded Materials being delicate, thermo-mechanical calculations were performed in order to determine the number and chemical composition in order to increase the lifespan of Plasma Facing Components. Spark Plasma Sintering conditions were optimized in order to achieve maximum density of WxCu1-x composites. The effect of copper content and density of the WxCu1-x composites on thermal and mechanical properties was investigated. The SPS conditions were applied for W/CuCrZr assemblies with a compliance layer composed of several interlayers. The importance of time for the integrity of assemblies thereof has been highlighted.The study of the dwell time during W/CuCrZr assembly leads to identify a parameter to characterize the integrity of the interface regardless of the composition and the nature of the layer of compliance. Moreover, the phenomena associated with the formation of the interface assembly have been identified. The interface W/WxCu1-x is formed by the extrusion of the copper layer of the WxCu1-x inside the tungsten porosities. The WyCu1-y/CuCrZr interface is formed by copper migration of CuCrZr layer inside the WyCu1-y layer. Finally optimization assembly conditions showed that the mechanical stresses due to the densification of the Functionally Graded Materials can be limited by sintering the FGM before the assembly.