Small angle neutron scattering for manufacturing method validation

Cu-Cr-Zr alloys are the material of choice for coolant structures in fusion reactors, where high thermal conductivity and structural strength at 250-300 C are required. These alloys, however, require a very specific heat treatment in order to exhibit their optimal properties, owed to the presence of nanoscale precipitates. Any manufacturing method for components including CuCrZr, therefore, needs to be validated, to ensure that the nanoscale properties are consistent across centimetres or millimetres of the component. We want to explore whether SANS is a suitable route to validate manufacturing routes for CuCrZr components.