Application of laser assisted technologies for fabrication of functionally graded coatings and objects for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor components

The technology of selective laser melting (SLM) was applied for manufacturing of net shaped 3D objects from different powders Inox 904L, Ni625, Cu/Sn, W. Performance and limitations of SLM technology for fabrication of elements of cooling systems in International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) installations were analysed. The developed technology was applied for fabrication of the inner surface of divertor thimbles. Two-component objects (stainless steel/Cu) were fabricated in a two-step manufacturing cycle. Direct laser manufacturing (DLM) with coaxial powder injection was applied for fabrication of thick functionally graded coatings and 3D objects from metallic powder. One of the advantages of DLM is the possibility to build functionally graded coatings and 3D objects in a one-step manufacturing cycle by using a 2-channel powder feeder. Several models with different types of material gradients (smooth, sharp, periodic) and multi-layered structures were manufactured from stainless steel, Stellite, Cu and W alloys.