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

Abstract 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.