WC-Cu thermal barriers for fusion applications

WC-Cu cermets have been devised for thermal barriers between the plasma facing tungsten tiles and the copper-based heat sink in the first wall of nuclear fusion reactors. Composite materials with 50 and 75 v/v% WC have been prepared by hot pressing at 1333 and 1423 K with pressures of 37 and 47 MPa, respectively. Microstructural changes have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and...