S. Tsurkan, D. Velazquez
Avalanche Energy Designs,
United States
Keywords: complex concentrated alloys, high entropy alloys, extreme environments resilient alloys
Summary:
Refractory-based alloy systems demonstrate desirable properties, such as irradiation resistance to high energy neutron fluence, stable mechanical properties at high temperatures, and corrosion resistance (e.g. hydrogen embrittlement), in extreme environments (i.e., in nuclear fusion reactors, hypsersonics). Traditional materials such as W and some W based alloys have shown some tolerance in extreme environments such as fusion and high mechanical/thermal stresses but have significant performance gaps at high temperature oxygen and nuclear fusion stresses. The latter is especially noticeable when taking into account embrittlement due to neutron, He/H and thermal conductivity degradation. In collaboration with partners, Avalanche Energy is developing a high throughput process that predicts novel material properties. Moreover, the manufacturability effort of these materials is explored using emerging arc melting and/or advanced additive manufacturing techniques where quality assurance is a key part of the process. This project is critically important to the development of high heat flux tolerant systems and fusion reactors wherein the durability of plasma facing components and structural materials are severely limited due to particle and fuel impact, permeation, and retention. The performance of these Complex Concentrated Alloys (CCAs) show promise under simultaneous extreme temperature, irradiation, and corrosion environments. A critical research gap in materials design properties remains along with understanding their manufacturability.