Strain mapping of laser welded EUROFER97 using Bragg edge neutron imaging

Eurofer97 is the main structural material targeted for the in-vessel components of demonstration (DEMO) fusion reactors. To facilitate Remote Maintenance (RM) of a demonstration fusion plant, the RM teams at Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE) propose to utilise lasers to join and cut in-vessel components. Understanding the residual stress inherited from the rapid welding process, and how this stress evolves at elevated temperature, are both essential information to avoiding actastropic failure of key components in DEMO fusion reactors. The current proposed study aims to characterise the residual stress in as-welded and post heat treated Eurofer97 steels using Bragg edge neutron imaging technique for improving the structural integrity assessment of welded components. This project is funded by Surrey Doctoral College Studentship in collaboration with CCFE.