DEVELOPMENT OF 316L(N)-IG STAINLESS-STEEL FABRICATION APPROACHES FOR ITER DIVERTOR AND LIMITER APPLICATIONS

The US has focused on development of a cast and hot-isostatic-pressed (HIP) fabrication approach for an affordable and reliable method for f abricating the stainless steel components of the divertor and limiters for ITER. Initial results with the cast/HIP 316L(N)-IG (ITER Grade) s tainless steel fabrication approach are encouraging. Cast/HIP mechanic al properties are lower than for wrought, but are adequate for fabrica tion of the components. Casting a near-net-shape blank saves considera ble cost in two ways: (1) from a raw material standpoint, less weight of material is needed, and (2) less machining is necessary to remove t he excess material. After the sections are cast, they are subjected to a HIP operation intended to provide improved and consistent mechanica l properties, compared to stainless steel castings that have not recei ved the HIP operation. This paper discusses the US progress toward dev eloping and evaluating cast and HIP fabrication methods for limiter an d divertor applications. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights res erved.