Material Challenges for ITER-TBM

1. Material Challenges for ITER-TBM Introductory Remarks Mohamed Abdou

2. Challenges? Yes, but they are WELCOME challenges. FINALLY! • We are getting the opportunity to apply what we have been working on for 35 years in Material and Blanket Research – to build a Blanket Test Module in a REAL integrated fusion environment. And, FORTUNATELY, application will be on a DOABLE scale. • Size of Test Module: < 0.8 m2 • ITER Test Parameters(Versus DEMO/Power Reactors) • Surface Heat Flux (MW/m2): 0.3 (.5 – 1) • Peak Neutron Wall Load (MW/m2): .78 (3 – 7) • Neutron Fluence (MW ▪ y/m2) 0.1 (5 – 15) • Magnetic Field (T) 4 (8 – 15)

3. All TBM’s proposed by all parties (with one exception) will use RAF/M as Structural Material. The development of fabrication processes for RAF/M structural material is on the critical path of the first TBM’s delivery. • Among the fabrication issues: • Joining procedure optimization • Shaping • Tolerances Specific technical issues have been presented in several papers at this conference. • Design code qualifications SCHEDULE: To deliver TBM to ITER by 2014, fabrication of relevant-size mock-up to the TBM size must start in 2009.

4. Other Material R&D Items for ITER-TBM • SiC/SiC Flow Channel Insert for DCLL Concept Realize target properties Thermal conductivity 2 W/mK (5-10 acceptable for TBM standard) Electrical conductivity 1-10 S/m SiC/SiC fabrication (shape, size and joining) – present data on small sample Cracking, liquid penetration, effect of large temperature gradients • Functional Materials (e.g. ceramic breeders, tritium permeation barrier, Be) There are important R&D issues Ongoing R&D programs are addressing these issues

5. The Challenge to us as posed by “outsiders” You have been working on this for 30 years. Can you build it? Let us work hard to say YES. Success in TBM is critical to fusion TECHNICALLY and Programmatically