High-Strength, High-Conductivity Composite for Plasma Facing Applications

70579 Containment walls in fusion reactors will be subjected to intense radiation fields and severely abnormal conditions. Therefore, first-wall materials will require high tensile strength and ductility, low temperature fracture toughness, and good fatigue properties. This project will develop a nanocomposite consisting of a network of ultrafine vanadium particles or filaments reinforcing a copper matrix for this application. The composite would exhibit high strength and conductivity, and would possess desirable neutronic properties. In Phase I, a high strength, radiation resistant composite will be developed by two novel approaches. One approach uses an electro-exploded wire to produce nanometer scale vanadium powder. The second approach will use high energy ball milling to produce nanocrystalline material with unique mechanical properties. The materials will be characterized by high resolution SEM and x-ray diffraction techniques and ultimately evaluated with regard to their mechanical and transport properties. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The copper-based nanocomposite material should have application in very high stress environments, especially if they are exposed to intense radiation fields. Commercial applications include pulsed field magnets, high field dc magnets, rotating electrical machinery, and electrical springs and contacts.