Investigation on the microstructure and mechanical properties of CuCrZr after manufacturing thermal cycle for plasma facing component

The effects of manufacturing thermal cycle on the various mechanical properties of CuCrZr were investigated. Vickers hardness was changed with an aging temperature in an identical manner with the strength change in a wide range of heat treatment. The change of Charpy impact energy with an aging temperature exhibited an opposite trend to the changes of the strength and hardness. At least in terms of the impact energy of CuCrZr, aging at a higher temperate would be preferable if the strength of CuCrZr could be maintained higher than the limitation value after the completion of the fabrication of ITER first wall. The fatigue life of CuCrZr was influenced to a certain extent by the cooling rate and the aging temperature. Especially in the higher strain amplitude, the contribution of the elastic and plastic components to the fatigue response was dependent on the yield strength which is determined by the aging temperature.