Characterisation of additively manufactured W-Cu composite plasma-facing component by means of neutron imaging techniques

Tungsten is a promising candidate for the plasma-facing components (PFCs) of a future nuclear fusion reactor due to its unique combination of properties. An innovative solution using a composite concept has been developed recently at the Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik and promoted within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium. It consists of a tungsten-copper composite based on additive manufacturing technique of tungsten honeycomb structure and fabricated by means of liquid Cu infiltration. We aim to assess the quality of the manufactured PFC and eventually deviations respect to its design by means white beam neutron tomography technique. We also propose to measure residual stresses in the component via energy-resolved neutron radiography techniques on a set of samples that trying to mimic the manufacturing process.