A Study on Laser Processing of Tungsten-Rhenium Alloys for Divertor Development

Abstract

Tungsten-rhenium alloys are more attractive due to their excellent characteristics, such as high ductility and improved mechanical properties. They can be expected to become some of the candidate materials for the next-generation of nuclear fusion reactors. We have successfully achieved crack-free laser processing in high-doped tungsten-rhenium alloys using a nanosecond Q-switched Nd:YAG laser system. In addition, the connection between the number of cracks and grain size on different rhenium doping concentrations is also characterized.