A methodology for the selection of low friction/anti-seize coating in applying bolted joints of ITER blanket modules

Abstract

The application of bolted joints with the Spiralock®/Selflock® technology for remote handling system in fusion machines leads to develop a methodology for selection a low friction/anti-seize coating in applying sliding surfaces of high-loaded threaded fasteners. This study discusses the analytical engineering method for calculation the maximum/minimum allowable friction coefficients in the thread and on the bearing surface during the tightening/untightening procedure. Calculations were made to determine the maximum/minimum allowable coefficient of friction in threaded pairs used for the ITER Blanket Module Connections and enhanced flux First Wall Panel fasteners (bolts with a regular metric thread/nuts with a self-locking thread, Spiralock®/Selflock® technology) of the ITER fusion experimental reactor under maximum torque conditions of the robot manipulator (remote handling system) and tensile load (preload) generated in the bolt during the tightening/untightening procedure. Design features of the Spiralock® technology were derived for calculation the working ranges of thread friction coefficient in the threaded pairs of the Blanket Module Connection and enhanced Heat Flux First Wall Panels fasteners at different coefficient of thread proportionality values (ζ=0.45–1.00). The lowest thread friction coefficients were obtained by the coefficient of thread proportionality ζ=1.00: 0.022≤μth≤0.171 for the M24 × 3 SB Electrical strap central bolts, 0.013≤μth≤0.047 for the М52 × 4 Outboard Flexible Cartridge central bolts, 0.010≤μth≤0.055 for the M64 × 4 Inboard Flexible Cartridge central bolts. The new method of determining the total tightening torque of the M24 × 3, M52 × 4, M64 × 4 bolted joints fastened to the Spiralock® female thread under conditions of elastoplastic, plastic deformation was applied to assess the suitability the solid lubricating coating MoS2 (VNIINP-212) under preload force Fa=10–1200 kN. The performed design verification indicated the significant differences in the calculated tightening torque obtained according to the standard and proposed method for the Spiralock® female thread by the plastic deformation of the tip of bolt thread and change of sliding friction coefficient depending on the contact pressure.