THERMAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF TUNGSTEN COMPACTS PREPARED BY SPS

B. Nevrlá, M. Vilémová, J. Matejicek

Abstract

Tungsten is a promising candidate material for use in the tokamak device aimed at future production of nuclear fusion power. Here, tungsten is intended for the application in the part called first wall, with the function of a heat-resistant plasma facing armor. In the present work, two fractions of tungsten powder (2 and 4 µm) were used to prepare two consolidated samples by spark plasma sintering (SPS), using a combination of pressure, temperature and electric power. This sintering technique produces samples of near theoretical density which is positive for the application. Tungsten compacts were then studied to determine some basic thermal and mechanical properties, namely thermal conductivity using the laser-flash method and hardness by Vickers test. The measurements were focused on thermal conductivity of the compacts because high thermal conductivity is crucial for the material of tokamak first wall, loaded by high heat flux from the plasma. High hardness is desirable for good resistance to mechanical erosion. The obtained results pointed out the differences between the two tungsten compacts and provided an idea about suitable production parameters.

Keywords

spark plasma sintering, tungsten, thermal properties

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DOI

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IMEKO TC

TC15 - Experimental Mechanics

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