The fibre/matrix interface and its influence on mechanical and physical properties of Cu-MMC

Fibre or wire reinforced copper or copper alloys (Cu-MMCs) have been developed as a high temperature heat sink material in the scheme of the integrated European project “Extremat”. The Cu-MMC of interest for application e.g. in fusion reactors should be able to operate at 550 °C and posses a thermal conductivity of at least 200 W/m/K. Properties of the developed Cu-MMCs with the SCS-6 SiC-fibres and W-wires in a matrix of pure Cu or CuCrZr are discussed. W-wire reinforced CuCrZr is selected as a candidate material for application in the fusion reactor with the highest thermal loadings, i.e. in the divertor. A divertor mockup is produced which will be tested under a high heat flux of up to 20 MW/m2.