Fabrication of a Copper-Backed Beryllium PFC Armor with a Built-In Diffusion Barrier Structure

40811 November 13, 1996 Surmet Corporation Although beryllium is a leading candidate for plasma facing components in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, it is difficult to thermally bond the beryllium to the cooling structure. This project will develop a rapid consolidation technique to fabricate beryllium tile with bonded copper backing which then can be easily joined to the copper cooling structure. This powder metallurgy approach allows the incorporation of a three dimensional, built-in dual function graded transition zone. The zone provides both the ability to accommodate interphase mismatch stresses and also prevents formation of brittle beryllium copper inter-metallic phases. The final attachment of the copper surface on the beryllium to the copper cooling structure of the reactor, would then involve less challenging copper to copper joining. Because of its unique structure, the tile should accommodate the large thermo-mechanical stresses arising out of exposure to a variety of thermal and mechanical stress conditions in the fusion reactor environment. Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee: The ability to successfully fabricate beryllium with a backing of copper without causing embrittlement should be a significant development for the fusion program. The process to fabricate beryllium with backing layers of common engineering metals such as aluminum, titanium, nickel, stainless steel will allow major applications for critical structures in the future.