Overview of the testing activities on ITER sub-scale pre-compression rings

Abstract After a first RD one of them was used as base composite material to manufacture different sets of specimens for shear, compression and non destructive tests (NDT). Then, five other mock-ups were manufactured following ENEA VPI process and three using WW technique by two different industrial companies. The rings were tested in ENEA Frascati in a dedicated hydraulic testing machine consisting of 18 radial actuators working in position control with a total load capability of 1000 tons. The complete testing campaign consisted of six ultimate tensile strength (UTS) tests and four stress relaxation (SR) tests. The tests demonstrated that the composite (S2 glass-epoxy) is a valid and viable solution for the ITER pre-compression rings (non conductive, non magnetic, capable to work at high stress level without relaxation). UTS tests showed an overall average ultimate strength of 1550 MPa (mean hoop stress in the cross section) and a constant hoop modulus to failure of all the mock-ups. Stress relaxation tests did not show any significant relaxation at different stress levels and durations.