# Inverse identification of tungsten static recrystallization kinetics under high thermal flux

Alan Durif, M. Richou, G. Kermouche, Jean Michel Bergheau

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Alan Durif, M. Richou, G. Kermouche, Jean Michel Bergheau. Inverse identification of tungsten static recrystallization kinetics under high thermal flux. Fusion Engineering and Design, 2019, 146, pp.1759-1763. 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2019.02.141. emse-02890953

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# Inverse identification of tungsten static recrystallization kinetics under high thermal flux

A. Durif<sup>a, **</sup>, M. Richou<sup>a, *</sup>, G. Kermouche<sup>b</sup>, J.-M. Bergheau<sup>c</sup>

<sup>a</sup> CEA, IRFM, F-13108 Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France

<sup>b</sup> École nationale supérieure des mines de Saint-Étienne, LGF, CNRS UMR 5307, 42023 Saint-Étienne cedex 2, France

<sup>c</sup> University of Lyon, Ecole Nationale d'ingénieurs de Saint-Étienne, LTDS, CNRS UMR 5513, 42023 Saint-Étienne, France

Understanding of recrystallization phenomenon is essential to apprehend damage process of tungsten armored plasma facing components and to optimize their use in tokamak environment. In ITER, plasma facing compo-nents will reach extreme surface temperature value up to 2000 °C. Up to now, recrystallization kinetics of ITER tungsten grade were investigated from 1150 °C to 1350 °C. In order to understand tungsten recrystallization process on the wider relevant temperature range, kinetics have to be investigated at higher temperature and on several tungsten grades. Usually, kinetics are investigated by performing successive isothermal annealings on tungsten samples. Due to number of ITER tungsten grades and large temperature range (from 500 °C to 2000 °C), an important amount of tungsten samples have to be prepared to investigate recrystallization kinetics on ITER representative conditions. In this paper, an innovative way is proposed to obtain recrystallization kinetics of ITER tungsten grade based on the use of small-scale plasma facing component tested under high heat flux. Thanks to the use of this inverse method, tungsten recrystallization kinetics are identified at 1348 °C ± 29, 1480 °C ± 29, 1586 °C ± 28 and 1696 °C ± 27 by using experimental measurements and Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov model. Then, obtained kinetics are used as input data in numerical post-treatments to obtain tungsten recrystallization gradients after 500 thermal cycles at 20 MW/m².

## 1. Introduction

For the ITER divertor, plasma facing components are made with tungsten as armor material, bonded on a copper alloy tube as heat sink structural material and cooled by water. Such components withstand high heat flux up to 20 MW/m² and consequently satisfy ITER requirements [1-6]. However, due to high heat flux, the loaded surface reaches extreme temperature values up to 2000 °C and strong thermal temperature gradient is generated on a thickness in the range of 6 mm [7,8]. 2000 °C is large enough to alter tungsten microstructure by recrystallization. Understanding of recrystallization phenomenon is essential to apprehend damage process of such components and to optimize their use in tokamak environment. Hereafter, this means tungsten recrystallization kinetics have to be investigated. Up to now, kinetics were obtained by isothermal annealings on one tungsten grade relevant with ITER specifications (called here abusively ITER tungsten grade) on a restricted temperature range from 1150 °C to 1350 °C [9]. To fulfill the gap and then understand tungsten recrystallization phenomenon on

the entire temperature range, an innovative way is proposed in this paper. Based on the use of small-scale plasma facing component tested under high heat flux, this inverse approach aims to benefit from thermal temperature gradient generated experimentally to obtain tungsten recrystallization kinetics.

In the first part of this paper, inverse methodology is described. Second, based on hardness measurements, tungsten recrystallization kinetics are identified thanks to Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov model (JMAK) [10]. Then, numerical integration of obtained kinetics highlights that consistent tungsten recrystallization gradients are obtained.

## 2. Assumptions

$$X = 1 - \exp(-b^n(t - t_{inc})^n) \quad (1)$$

JMAK model (equation (1)) can be used to describe the recrystallized fraction (X) evolution of material over the annealing time

<footnote>** Principal corresponding author.</footnote>

<footnote>* Corresponding author.</footnote>

<footnote>E-mail addresses: alan.durif@cea.fr (A. Durif), marianne.richou@cea.fr (M. Richou).</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_2.png" /><figcaption>Fig. 1. a) Numerical modeling, b) Thermal temperature gradient obtained under 20 MW/m².</figcaption></figure>

[10]. tinc is representing the incubation time, to take into account recovery phase before recrystallization [10], n is the Avrami exponent set at 1.098 [9] and b is thermo-dependent parameter. Recrystallization is a thermally activated process. Relationships between JMAK parameters and annealing temperature over temperature range are usually described by Arrhenius laws [10,9]. In this way, inverse approach aims to propose a method to estimate parameters b and tinc at specific annealing temperatures and aim to identify Arrhenius relationships for these both parameters on a large temperature range. For that, X has to be estimated over different annealing times per annealing temperature.

$$X = \frac{HV_{in} - HV}{HV_{in} - HV_{rx}} \qquad (2)$$

According to equation (2) [9,11], X can be estimated from hardness measurements, with HV the measured hardness after any annealing time at a specific annealing temperature, HV<sub>rx</sub> the measured hardness on fully recrystallized material and HV<sub>in</sub> the measured hardness on initial material. Indents are performed at CEA Cadarache (IRFM) using a load of 10 kg and a dwell time of 10 s [9].

In this way, based on the use of small-scale plasma facing component tested under high heat flux, inverse approach aims to benefit from thermal temperature gradient obtained experimentally. Hardness at specific positions, corresponding to a loaded annealing temperature are performed. Annealing temperatures are identified thanks to use of the thermal temperature gradient obtained numerically. Measured hardness related to same annealing temperature per block are averaged and then converted in X (Eq. (2)).

To obtain parameters from Eq. (1), each X obtained is assigned to an equivalent annealing time ($t_{annealing}$). $t_{annealing}$ per investigated block is defined as a function of number of loaded cycles ($N_{cycle}$) and steady state loaded time ($\Delta t$) (Eq. (3)). Parameters b and tinc are then identified per investigated annealing temperature thanks to the use of least squares method regarding Eq. (1) and Arrhenius laws fitting. Finally, Arrhenius relationships are used as input data in numerical anisothermal JMAK post treatment to model tungsten recrystallization gradient after 500 thermal cycles at 20 MW/m². Anisothermal JMAK model is commonly used in literature for anisothermal paths [12].

$$t_{annealing} = N_{cycle} * \Delta t \qquad (3)$$

# 3. Material and method

## 3.1. Materials

In preparation of the actively cooled divertor of WEST tokamak

(PHASE 2), mock-ups were manufactured. Composed of 7 tungsten blocks supplied from Advance Technology and Materials, these were bonded on Cu-OFHC interlayer (1 mm) finally bonded on a copper alloy tube (CuCrZr) used as heat sink structural material [13]. Tungsten block dimension is 27.4 mm (width) * 26 mm (height) * 12 mm (depth). The minimum distance from tungsten upper surface to the copper interlayer is 6 mm. Tube inner diameter is 12 mm, while the outer diameter of the tube is 15mm. These mock-ups were exposed to electron beam JUDITH 1 at Forschungszentrum Julich [13]. In this paper, two tungsten blocks (M4 and M5) from one mock-up named M2-2 in [13] are investigated. These were exposed to cyclic high heat flux (10s ON / 10s OFF):

-1000 cycles at 10 MW/m² followed by 300 cycles at 20 MW/m² for M4

-1000 cycles at 10 MW/m² followed by 500 cycles at 20 MW/m² for M5.

For thermal loading at 10 MW/m² (in total 10 000s), tungsten reaches maximum temperature close to 1000 °C being not enough to have an impact on tungsten microstructure [9].

## 3.2. Finite elements modeling

Inverse approach aims to benefit from thermal temperature gradient observed under 20 MW/m² to obtain tungsten recrystallization kinetics. For that, temperature gradient and equivalent annealing time over cycles is estimated using numerical simulation performed on finite elements code (ANSYS 17.2).

Numerical model presented in Fig. 1 (a), is representative to studied tungsten blocks M4 and M5. Thanks to the use of symmetry planes only quarter part of block is modeled taking into account the presence of 1*1 mm² chamfer in the modeling. 38376 quadratic elements are used to mesh the 3D geometry. Heat conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion used are those presented for tungsten, Cu-OFHC and CuCrZr in [7]. In this study, 20 MW/m² heat flux is applied on the upper surface and CEA routine [14] is used to calculate heat transfer coefficients ($T° = 22 °C, v = 10 m/s and p = 2.25 MPa$) due to water cooling during high heat flux tests at the inner wall pipe. Fig. 1(b), highlights that thermal loadings at 20 MW/m² involve strong thermal temperature gradient leading to extreme temperature values from 1810 °C at the loaded surface to 902 °C 4 mm in the depth of the block.

Maximum surface temperature obtained is compared to that measured by infrared camera during the experimental campaign [13] and revealed that numerical model estimates consistent thermal results. This map is used for the identification of positions related to specific annealing temperature.
<figure><img src="image_3.png" /><figcaption>Fig. 2. a) Temperature evolution of two nodes, b) indents performed on M4 are assigned to temperature, c) hardness values obtained for M4 and related annealing temperature.</figcaption></figure>

### 3.3. Annealing time

$t_{\text{annealing}}$ (equation (3)) has to be estimated for each studied block. Fig. 2 (a) shows the temperature evolution (over one thermal cycle) of two nodes placed on both sides of annealing temperature range explored. Steady state is obtained after 5s heating. Consequently, conservative study should be achieved assuming $\Delta t = 5$ s. However, considering $\Delta t = 5$ s in this study, involves that heating phase (from 0 s to 5 s heating) is neglected. To evaluate the impact of this assumption, kinetics will be investigated assuming two different $t_{\text{annealing}}$ per block (Table 1) with $\Delta t = 5$ s which involved shorter time to obtain fully recrystallized material (conservative study) and $\Delta t = 10$ s which assumed that entire heating phase play a role in the microstructure change.

## 4. Results and discussion

### 4.1. Hardness measurements

Fig. 2(b) shows indents performed on the external surface of block M4 and zoom Fig. 2(c) displays hardness values for each indents. Zoom highlights that hardness increases by the depth. Similar measurements are performed on block M5. Average hardness values obtained for blocks M4 and M5 are presented in Table 2. Due to a deteriorated surface of block M5, no indent is performed for positions related to annealing temperature equal to 1586 °C and 1696 °C (see Fig. 1 for global thermal gradient). Moreover, indents measure approximately 200 µm diagonal which involve vertical thermal temperature gradient in the order of 50 °C. Temperature assigned for each indent is consequently given with an uncertainty of ± 25 °C. Hardness values are then averaged over 3 indents within a same loaded temperature (Fig. 2, c). The maximum horizontal temperature variation over indents varying from ± 4 °C at 2.6 mm depth to ± 2 °C at 0.6 mm depth which involves a maximum final uncertainty of ± 29 °C on the average temperature estimated for each investigated zones (Fig. 2c).

To estimate $H_{V\text{in}}$, 20 indents are performed on tungsten plate (28*28*12mm³) supplied by Advance Technology and Materials (AT&M). Average hardness ($H_{V\text{in}}$) obtained (458 $H_{V\text{10}}$ ± 2) is compared with average hardness obtained from indents performed far from the M4 loaded surface (451 $H_{V\text{10}}$ ± 5) revealing that material supplied can

<table><caption>**Table 1**
Equivalent annealing time assumed per block</caption><thead><tr><th></th><th>M4 (300 cycles)</th><th>M5 (500 cycles)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Δt = 5 s</td><td>1500 s</td><td>2500 s</td></tr><tr><td>Δt = 10 s</td><td>3000 s</td><td>5000 s</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><caption>**Table 2**
Average hardness values and related recrystallized fraction obtained</caption><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th>T(°C)</th><th>1348 ± 29</th><th>1480 ± 29</th><th>1586 ± 28</th><th>1696 ± 27</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="2">500 cycles<br>(20 MW/m²)</td><td>H<sub>V10</sub></td><td>425 ± 8</td><td>399 ± 3</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>X (%)</td><td>41 ± 10</td><td>73 ± 4</td><td>-</td><td>100</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">300 cycles<br>(20 MW/m²)</td><td>H<sub>V10</sub></td><td>448 ± 5</td><td>401 ± 12</td><td>385 ± 10</td><td>380 ± 6</td></tr><tr><td>X (%)</td><td>13 ± 7</td><td>71 ± 14</td><td>91 ± 12</td><td>98 ± 8</td></tr></tbody></table>

be used to estimate $H_{V\text{rx}}$. Isothermal annealing at 1250 °C (96 h) is achieved on tungsten sample (9*12*3 mm³) obtained from surface tungsten plate to estimate $H_{V\text{rx}}$. 20 indents are performed on the sample after annealing. Average hardness ($H_{V\text{rx}}$) obtained is equal to 378 $H_{V\text{10}}$ ± 2. Based on $H_{V\text{in}}$ (458 $H_{V\text{10}}$ ± 2) and $H_{V\text{rx}}$ (378 $H_{V\text{10}}$ ± 2) each hardness values obtained for blocks M4 and M5 are converted in X thanks to equation (2) (Table 2).

Indents are also performed at 8.1mm from the edge of block M5 in order to valid the inverse method on another part of the block. Due to thermal gradient, 5 hardness measurements are performed over the depth. Consequently, hardness is not averaged and error bars presented Fig. 4 (b) are representative to statistic obtained for $H_{V\text{in}}$ (± 2).

### 4.2. Recrystallization kinetics by inverse method

At annealing temperatures equal to 1586 °C and 1696 °C only one X is provided which corresponds to measurements performed on M4. To provide another point for the determination of these kinetics, one assumption is made for the determination of X related to the block loaded at 500 cycles (M5). In any case, the X related to M5 for a given annealing temperature is higher than the one obtained for same annealing temperature on M4. At 1696 °C, X is fixed at 100%. Parameters b and tinc are obtained per annealing temperature by fitting equation (1) using least squares method (Table 3) for both given annealing times. Related recrystallization kinetics obtained for each annealing temperature (assuming $\Delta t = 5$ s) and Arrhenius laws are given in Fig. 3. Arrhenius straight as the method imposes it ($R^2 = 0.9999$).

### 4.3. Discussion

Fig. 4 (a) shows tungsten recrystallization gradient obtained numerically after 500 cycles at 20 MW/m² using determined kinetics at 3.5mm from the edge assuming $\Delta t = 5$ s and $\Delta t = 10$ s. Average measurements obtained at 3.5mm from the edge of blocks are used to fit kinetics parameters. Consequently, Fig. 4 (a) shows consistent evolution of tungsten recrystallized fraction with regard to experimental data
<table><caption>**Table 3**
JMAK parameters identified for two annealing times using least squares method</caption><thead><tr><th rowspan="2"></th><th colspan="4">b</th><th colspan="4">tinc (s)</th></tr><tr><th>1348 ± 29</th><th>1480 ± 29</th><th>1586 ± 28</th><th>1696 ± 27</th><th>1348 ± 29</th><th>1480 ± 29</th><th>1586 ± 28</th><th>1696 ± 27</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Δt=5s</td><td>0.000403</td><td>0.000886</td><td>0.00152</td><td>0.00247</td><td>1103s</td><td>404</td><td>204</td><td>110</td></tr><tr><td>Δt=10s</td><td>0.000201</td><td>0.000443</td><td>0.00076</td><td>0.00123</td><td>2206</td><td>810</td><td>409</td><td>220</td></tr></tbody></table>

<figure><img src="image_4.png" /><figcaption>**Fig. 3.** a) Recrystallization kinetics obtained by inverse method and b) related Arrhenius relationships assuming $Δt = 5$ s.</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_5.png" /><figcaption>**Fig. 4.** Evolution of the recrystallized fraction obtained numerically for both annealing times assumed (5s and 10s) and comparison with experiments performed at: a) 3.5mm from the edge of the block, b) 8.1mm from the edge of the block.</figcaption></figure>

displayed Table 2. It shows also that the realistic annealing time is between $Δt = 5$ s and $Δt = 10$ s.

Fig. 4 (b) highlights recrystallized fraction evolution over the block depth at 8.1mm from the edge. It shows consistent predictions of X tendency.

In this paper, two tungsten blocks are used to fit tungsten recrystallization kinetics. In further studies, number of investigated blocks could be increased in order to optimize the fitting procedure and provide more consistent data. Also, to increase statistics and minimize temperature uncertainty per investigated kinetic, micro-indices could be considered.

## 5. Conclusion

This paper proposes an innovative way to investigate tungsten recrystallization kinetics used as armored material in plasma facing components. Here above, kinetics were obtained at 1348 °C ± 29, 1480 °C ± 29, 1586 °C ± 28 and 1696 °C ± 27. JMAK parameters (b and tinc) obtained are extrapolated over the explored temperature range using Arrhenius relationships. To finish, these are used as input data in numerical post-treatments and consistent tungsten recrystallization gradients are obtained.

## 6. Acknowledgments

This work has received CEA funding from the "Programme Transverse de Compétence, Matériaux et Procédés (PTC-MP). This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from the Euratom research and training program 2014-2018 under grant agreement No 633053. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission.

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