High heat load properties of nanostructured, recrystallized W-1.1TiC

Steady state (1973 K, 180 s) and repeated (723 K-1524 K, 380 times) heat loading experiments of ITER grade W and toughened, fine-grained, recrystallized W-1.1TiC (TFGR W-1.1TiC) have been performed using an electron beam irradiation system. In ITER grade W, the irradiation around 1973 K causes recrystallization and grain growth up to the average diameters of 50-100 μm. Repeated irradiations cause significant surface roughening, cracking at grain boundaries and surface exfoliation. On the other hand, TFGR W-1.1TiC does not exhibit any surface roughening or cracking after repeated heat loading although grain boundaries on the surface of TFGR W-1.1TiC can be observed after irradiation at around 1973 K 180 s by steady state heat loading.