Realizing SMART alloy technology at industrial scale: a start
In late 2020, an essential step was made towards industrial up-scale of SMART (Self-passivating Metal Alloys with Reduced Thermo-oxidation) alloy technology.
Using mechanically alloyed powder produced in the PowderLab at IEK-4 and the new industrial field-assisted sintering technology (FAST) facility at IEK-1, the first large-scale SMART alloy sample with dimensions of 10 x 10 x 0.7 cm³ has been sintered successfully.
The sample size meets the expected requirements for fusion applications already.
In January 2021, a W-Cr-Zr SMART alloy sample with a diameter of 10 cm and a thickness of 0.75 cm has been sintered by our strategic partner institution, Hefei University of Technology in China.
The production of large SMART alloy sample represents a milestone towards industrial realization of this advanced material for a future fusion power plant.
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