A bulk tungsten divertor row for the outer strike point in JET

In the frame of the ITER-like wall project, a new row of divertor tiles has been developed which consists of 96 bulk tungsten load-bearing septum replacement plates (LB-SRP). Exposed to the outer strike point for most ITER-relevant, high triangularity configurations, they shall be subject to high power loads (locally 10 MW/m2 and above). These conditions are demanding, particularly for an inertially cooled design as prescribed. The expected erosion rates are high as well as the risk of melting, especially with transients and repetitive ELM loads. The development is also a real challenge with respect to the inevitable excursions of the tungsten material through the so-called DBTT, ductile-to-brittle transition temperature. A lamella design has been selected to fulfil the requirements with respect to the thermo-mechanical and electromagnetic loads during disruptions. Care is taken to act on refractory metals solely with compressive forces to a large extent. The dedicated clamping concept is described. Results of a test exposure to an electron beam around 70 MJ/m2 substantiate the resort to ‘high temperature’ materials like – among others – high-grade Nimonic alloys, molybdenum or ceramic coatings.