Beryllium Armored Aluminum Alloy Plasma Facing Components

50467-98-I
Beryllium Armored Aluminum Alloy Plasma Facing Components--Plasma Processes, Inc., 4914 D Moores Mill Road, Huntsville, AL 35811-1558;
(205) 851-7653
Mr. Timothy Mckechnie, Principal Investigator
Mr. Timothy Mckechnie, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-98ER82644
Amount: $75,000

Beryllium armor is required on fusion energy plasma facing components (PFC) to minimize plasma poisoning. However, beryllium forms performance limiting, brittle intermetallics with most metals, including all copper alloy heat sinks. To prevent intermetallic formation the components must be operated at low temperatures or utilize multiple diffusion barrier coatings which add complexity and risk. An aluminum-based heat sink would eliminate the brittle copper-beryllium intermetallic since aluminum is the only structural alloy that does not form an intermetallic with beryllium. Beryllium brush armor will be fabricated and joined to aluminum alloy heat sinks to demonstrate an improved PFC. Characterization of the lightweight aluminum beryllium materials and structure will be conducted. Innovative beryllium brush armor will be developed and joined to aluminum heat sinks. Beryllium armored aluminum PFC will be fabricated and delivered for fusion relevant high heat flux testing.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: These materials should be useful for fusion reactor plasma facing components, aircraft components, nuclear weapon components, lightweight mirrors and structures for space and satellite use, sporting equipment (golf clubs, rackets, etc.), and space station equipment._