Speaker
Description
The severe operating conditions for Plasma Facing-Components (PFCs) in future power-generating fusion devices require the development of advanced materials and components. PFCs must not only withstand high steady state power loads of up to 20 MW/m², but also a high number of thermal cycles and shocks. In addition, the design of PFCs and the selection of appropriate armour and structural materials must consider the change in thermo-mechanical properties due to damage, activation and transmutation by fusion neutrons. At present, water-cooled PFCs are foreseen in most future fusion devices to provide reliable heat removal capability and to allow only moderate extrapolation of the technologies developed and tested for the ITER, which is presently the largest fusion device under construction the south of France. However, attempts have been made to optimise the design, as well as the armour and heat sink materials, with a view to future applications under even harsher conditions. This contribution gives an overview of the requirements for plasma facing components and the state-of-the-art solutions. In addition, new concepts and materials will be presented, including investigations on W composites and alloys as well as innovative fabrication methods such as additive manufacturing and cold spray coating of PFC mock-ups.
