About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Additive Manufacturing Materials, Processes and Applications for Energy Industry
|
| Presentation Title |
Functionally Graded Transition from Tungsten to Low-Activation Steels: Microstructure and Mechanical Properties |
| Author(s) |
Deniz Ebeperi, Ousmane Ndiaye, Benjamin Hackett, Tim Graening, Ying Yang, George Pharr, Yutai Katoh, Ibrahim Karaman |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Deniz Ebeperi |
| Abstract Scope |
Joining tungsten, a key plasma-facing material, with structural steels remains a major challenge for nuclear fusion systems, especially for divertor and first-wall applications. Traditional joining methods like solid-state diffusion bonding, brazing, or welding often fail under cyclic thermal loading due to sharp property changes. To address this, multi-material additive manufacturing, specifically directed energy deposition, can fabricate functionally graded materials (FGMs), which gradually transition compositions to mitigate abrupt changes in mechanical and thermal properties, reducing failure risk from stress concentrations or phase incompatibilities. This study proposes a transition path using vanadium- and iron-based interlayers, selected through thermodynamic and diffusion simulations. A novel optimization framework of processing parameters was developed to ensure defect-free, high-density FGMs. Interfacial strengths were evaluated, and intermetallic phases were minimized by introducing compatible transition layers, enabling a stable, crack-free BCC transition. This work advances the development of durable fusion reactor components and expands FGM applications in extreme environments. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Additive Manufacturing, Nuclear Materials, Joining |