10.12.2007
A. Brendel, V. Paffenholz, Th. Köck, H. Bolt
SiC fibre reinforced copper is a potential novel heat sink material for the divertor of future fusio
n reactors to reinforce the zone between plasma facing material (W) and heat sink material (CuCrZr). The metal matrix composite (MMC) should be able to withstand heat loads up to 15 MW/m2 at operating temperatures of up to 550 C. SCS6 fibres were coated by magnetron sputtering with a titanium interlayer and the copper matrix was deposited by electroplating. The composite was consolidated by hot-isostatic pressing. The average ultimate tensile strength of composite samples with 20% fibre reinforcement is 640 MPa and for the Young’s modulus 162 GPa was determined. The Young’s modulus decreases with increasing temperature and reaches 113 GPa at 550 C. Fracture area analysis after tensile tests show the failure of the SCS 6 fibres at the interface between the two outer carbon layers. Titanium as interlayer led to an improved bonding between the outer carbon coating of the SiC fibres and the copper matrix.
