The thermophysical and mechanical properties of the copper heat sink material intended for use in ITER

Two copper-based alloys are currently under consideration as the heat sink material for the divertor, limiter and first-wall plasma facing components (PFCs) of ITER. During pulsed operation, these alloys will be subjected to cyclic stresses and periods of steady loading: it is anticipated that fatigue, creep and combined creep-fatigue effects will be important in limiting the operational lifetime of these PFCs, in particular the copper alloy components. A wide range of thermophysical and mechanical properties measurements have therefore been made, including under vacuum, in order to provide material characterisation of these important alloys, to add to the ITER materials database and to guide future design efforts.