학술논문

Surface features of strongly heated bulk tungsten divertor plates at ASDEX Upgrade
Document Type
article
Source
Nuclear Materials and Energy, Vol 34, Iss , Pp 101320- (2023)
Subject
Nuclear engineering. Atomic power
TK9001-9401
Language
English
ISSN
2352-1791
Abstract
Solid tungsten tiles exposed at the outer strike point module of the ASDEX Upgrade divertor show cracks parallel to surface in the bulk and humps at the surface. At ASDEX Upgrade these horizontal cracks were observed for the first time. About 10 % of all tiles exhibit protrusions originated by horizontal cracks about 3–5 mm below the surface. The position of this damage coincidence with the location of highest deposited energy, which varies for the different tiles due to the mounting. The tungsten at the locations of the horizontal cracks exhibits recrystallization and grain growth, presumably due to the worse thermal contact caused by the horizontal cracks. Although, the operation of AUG was not hampered by these damages, these tiles had to be exchanged preventing progression of these damages. High thermal stress due to temperature gradients is discussed to originate these cracks. Additionally, humps are found at the surface at the position of high heat flux. Their occurrence seems to be related to the increased number of high power discharges. Focused ion beam prepared cross sections indicate pores and cavities in and below these humps. This finding is discussed in the view of He bubble formation in tungsten.