Optimizing the thermal conductivity of plasma-sprayed beryllium coatings for fusion applications
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
Plasma-spraying of beryllium is currently under investigation as a potential coating technique for regenerating damaged beryllium surfaces in the divertor region of ITER. Investigations to optimize the thermal conductivity of plasma-sprayed beryllium coatings are currently being performed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory`s Beryllium Atomization and Thermal Spray Facility (BATSF). Parametric studies are being done to evaluate the effects of processing conditions to minimize the splat morphology present in the beryllium plasma-sprayed deposits. Earlier investigations have shown that this splat morphology, which is characteristic of plasma-sprayed coatings, contains incomplete bonding between individual splat layers which reduces the thermal conductivity of the beryllium spray deposits. Thermal conductivity of plasma-sprayed beryllium which is on the order of 70 W/m{sm_bullet}K is only one-third that of hot pressed beryllium block. Results will be presented on the effects of hydrogen gas addition to the plasma spray torch, higher substrate temperatures and the use of a low velocity laminar flow nozzle to improve the as-deposited density and thermal conductivity of the beryllium plasma-sprayed deposits.
- OSTI ID:
- 196984
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-940664--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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