TY - JOUR
T1 - Irradiation effects on the optical and mechanical performance of ITER prototype window assemblies
AU - Goussarov, Andrei
N1 - © 2012 Elsevier B.V. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Acknowledgments
The author thanks S. Huysmans for the dedication and performing most difficult part of vacuum leak testing and M. Eykmans for the help with hot cell mechanical testing.
This work, supported by the European Communities under the contract of Association between EURATOM/Belgian state, was carried out within the framework of the European Fusion Development Agreement. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission.
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - We investigated how simulated ITER environment can influence the mechanical stability and optical characteristics of ITER prototype window assemblies. Such assemblies must transmit diagnostic signals while maintaining the vacuum boundaries continuously during the operating life of ITER. A high reliability of the window assemblies is a must. Prototype assemblies with the transmission element made of Si3N4, silica, or sapphire diffusion bonded or brazed to a stainless steel or Ti ferrule were studied in the present work. Irradiation was performed in the BR1 reactor of SCKCEN in Mol at 150 C during 5.5 months up to a total fast fluence of ∼2 × 1020 n/m2. Post-irradiation thermo-mechanical and the He-leak tests were performed in a hot cell. The examination was concluded with the destructive push-out test. Different damage patterns were observed for different window assemblies. The general conclusion is that after thermal cycling and reactor irradiation the windows remain sufficiently strong to sustain mechanical loads relevant for the ITER operation.
AB - We investigated how simulated ITER environment can influence the mechanical stability and optical characteristics of ITER prototype window assemblies. Such assemblies must transmit diagnostic signals while maintaining the vacuum boundaries continuously during the operating life of ITER. A high reliability of the window assemblies is a must. Prototype assemblies with the transmission element made of Si3N4, silica, or sapphire diffusion bonded or brazed to a stainless steel or Ti ferrule were studied in the present work. Irradiation was performed in the BR1 reactor of SCKCEN in Mol at 150 C during 5.5 months up to a total fast fluence of ∼2 × 1020 n/m2. Post-irradiation thermo-mechanical and the He-leak tests were performed in a hot cell. The examination was concluded with the destructive push-out test. Different damage patterns were observed for different window assemblies. The general conclusion is that after thermal cycling and reactor irradiation the windows remain sufficiently strong to sustain mechanical loads relevant for the ITER operation.
KW - Diagnostic systems
KW - ITER
KW - Mechanical properties
KW - Nuclear radiation effects
KW - Optical transmission degradation
KW - Prototype window assemblies
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84885300976&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2012.11.022
DO - 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2012.11.022
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84885300976
SN - 0920-3796
VL - 88
SP - 1192
EP - 1195
JO - fusion engineering and design
JF - fusion engineering and design
IS - 6-8
ER -