Influence of porosity and blistering on the thermal fatigue behavior of tungsten

Abstract Tungsten is the leading plasma-facing material (PFM) for nuclear fusion applications. It faces severe operating conditions, including intense hydrogen plasma exposure and high-cycle transient heat loading, which create various defects in tungsten. Additionally, have often already been introduced during manufacturing. Little understood regarding synergistic effect of such on lifetime tungsten so far. Here, we investigate influence porosity blistering thermal fatigue behavior The pores resulted from powder metallurgy whereas was induced by exposure. Both conditions were subjected to loading a high-power pulsed laser. performed linear generator Magnum-PSI, closely mimics expected particle flux world’s largest experiment, ITER. degraded resistance Pores tended aggregate at high-angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) assisted crack initiation therein, as revealed focused ion beam cross-sectioning electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis. blisters characteristic subsurface cavities, located depth close surface roughness loading. stress concentration tip cavities considered promote initiation. results highlight necessity ‘life cycle assessment’ PFM reactors.