The development of divertor and first wall armour parts at JAERI, Sandia N.L. and KFA Jülich

Abstract

The development of new armour materials, and fabrication and testings of the divertor and first wall mock-ups have worldwidely been carried out during the Conceptual Design Activities (CDA) of ITER. This paper is a review of the activities on the divertor and first wall armour components which has been performed by JAERI, Sandia National Laboratory, and KFA Jülich. The design requirements have instantly been reflected in material development. For instance, carbon fiber composites (CFC's) have already been developed to have a thermal conductivity as high as copper at room temperature. Further modification of CFC's has been made. Based on the extensive progress in armour materials, the fabrication and testings of mockups have been started. Divertor mock-ups which are able to endure a stationary heat flux of 8 to 15 MW/m 2 have already been developed. Some new high heat flux test facilities have been constructed and are able to simulate a heat load of plasma disruption. Extensive understanding on disruption erosion of the armour materials has been obtained by experiments with these facilities. Some mock-up tests and disruption simulating tests have been performed under international collaboration.