Mechanical characterization of glass fibre–epoxy composite material for ITER pre-compression rings

Pre-compressions rings have been designed to improve the ITER magnets structural support. They are made of high strength unidirectional S-2 glass fibres wound in an epoxy matrix. In order to obtain very high strength properties, ENEA developed and characterized this composite with a high volumetric glass content (∼68%). Benefits of this solution include high strength, no interference with magnet fields and long expected service life. This work illustrates the mechanical characterization of the material used to manufacture the rings. At first, linear specimens were produced to perform tensile and creep tests. Then, reduced scale ring mock-ups have been fabricated and tested in ENEA Fusion-Laboratories. One ring was used for the machining of several specimens for compression and shear tests. Standard and non standard specimens were machined from different geometric directions (longitudinal, radial and transversal with reference to the fibre–glass direction) and tested at room temperature and at liquid nitrogen (77 K) temperature to complete characterization with compression and shear tests. The experimental campaign has been carried out following as close as possible the related ASTM standards in order to evaluate material strength, Young and shear moduli. Test results showed high mechanical strength of the composite in fibre–glass longitudinal direction but lower values in transversal direction.