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Nanostructured
Tungsten for Improved Plasma Facing Component Performance--Plasma
Processes, Inc., 4914 Moores Mill Road, Huntsville, AL
35811-1558; 256-851-7653, www.plasmapros.com
Mr.
Scott O'Dell, Principal Investigator, scottdell@plasmapros.com
Mr.
Timothy McKechnie, Business Official,
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-02ER83435
Amount:
$750,000
To
reduce the cost of burning-plasma experiments conducted for fusion energy
research, refractory metals are required to increase high heat flux limitations
for plasma facing component applications. For
refractory metals such as tungsten (W) to be used in fusion applications,
improvements in both mechanical and physical properties are needed.
Because recent work identified the benefits of nanosize,
transition-metal-carbide dispersoids within tungsten, this project will develop
fabrication techniques to enable the near net shape forming of nanograined W and
W alloys, with improved resistance to embrittlement, for use in fusion reactors.
Phase I demonstrated the feasibility of producing near net shape W
components comprised of ultra-fine grained microstructures.
Analyses of the samples showed that tungsten materials reinforced with
transition metal carbide have a higher recrystallization temperature, experience
less grain growth at elevated temperatures, and have higher hardness values than
pure tungsten samples. During Phase
II, techniques developed during Phase I will be optimized and used to fabricate
extensive material property specimens. Rhenium
additions will be evaluated to further improve ductility. Finally, plasma facing
component mockups will be fabricated to demonstrate the scalability of the
process.
Commercial
Applications and Other Benefits
as described by awardee: Potential
commercial applications include, but are not limited to: ballistic
and tactical missiles, gun barrel liners, arc-jet thrusters, heat exchangers,
welding electrodes, plasma facing components for nuclear reactors, integral
oxidation protection for burners, gas turbines, automobile engines,
incinerators, thermal control coatings, oxidation protective coatings, coatings
for composite parts and structures, thermal barrier coatings, structural jackets
on tubular combustors and nozzles, and storage vessels.