NSF Award
9361230
9361230 Ting Beryllium is a candidate material for applications requiring low density, strength, and/or thermal performance, such as space structures, heat shields, radiators, and nuclear fusion reactor first wall components. However, the use of beryllium is limited by its moderate thermal conductivity and brittleness, both of which result in a low thermal shock fracture toughness. This also places a limitation on the thickness of a beryllium component, which can impose limits in lifetime for application such as Be plasma facing tiles. It is proposed to develop a graphite-fiber-reinforced beryllium composite which will manifest the advantages of both beryllium and carbon/carbon composites, and which will ameliorate the disadvantages of either one. A preliminary experiment has suggested the advantages of using highly graphitic fiber to eliminate or reduce interface reaction. The graphite fiber proposed for use is vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF), which is the most graphitic fiber know to be available. In the proposed fabricate the composites. Effort will be directed toward examining interphase formation, if any, between VGCF and Be, and demonstrating a VGCF/Be composite with improved thermal and mechanical properties. ***
