Micromechanical mysteries: revealing subsurface deformation mechanisms in fusion energy materials

The CuCrZr system has been chosen as a candidate alloy for use in heat transfer components for prototype nuclear fusion reactors
including the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). ITER Grade (IG)-CuCrZr alloy maintains the desired high thermal
conductivity of pure Cu but has enhanced mechanical properties through precipitation strengthening. This allows components to withstand
the intense mechanical and thermal fluctuations expected in service. Computational models on the micron scale are crucial for predicting
component lifetime and failure mechanisms. It is proposed that novel characterisation techniques such as Scanning Three-Dimensional X-ray
Diffraction (S3DXRD) and Diffraction-Contrast Tomography (DCT) that capture per-voxel phase, grain orientation and Type III strains can be
used to better inform these models, that are currently based on surface or near-surface measurement.