KeyTec and ECN collaborate on components for extreme heat based on metal injection moulding

ECN has developed an extremely thermo-shock proof material for nuclear fusion applications that is shaped with injection moulding. Last month, KeyTec and ECN signed a license agreement, enabling KeyTec to produce and supply high-quality materials (high-melting and resistant to wear) by means of this process.

Tungsten and Molybdenum are powder-metallurgic materials that withstand extreme heat load conditions. ECN has developed a powder-metallurgic variant of the injection moulding process for the production of tungsten components that show superior characteristics under extreme heat load conditions. The material is Yttrium doped. Contrary to conventional materials, testing at an absorbed capacity of 1.13 GW/m² during 1000 cycles of 1 ms has not led to any cracking. Particularly the ductility, the fatigue resistance and the hardness of the material have been optimised, as well as the recrystallisation properties. KeyTec and ECN aim to expand this development to small series of other high-melting materials that are difficult to  process and to precision metal components that have special properties.

Although this process was developed especially for nuclear fusion applications and for NRG, it is also highly suited for other applications involving high temperature and shielding.

Stable at 2000°C
The unique features of the obtained material are to a large extent determined by the use of the injection moulding technology. The material is highly homogenous and has a fine micro-structure that is similar in three dimensions, contrary to the direction-dependence of conventional material. The material is to a large extend stress free and therefore shows no signs of recrystallisation between 1200 and 1440°C, but remains stable up till well above 2000°C.

The technology is highly suited for a wide range of doping applications and for developing alloys, both of which are key for developing new materials.

The injection moulding technology process offers almost unlimited freedom of shaping, which omits the need for machining. For tungsten this is highly relevant, both for cost and performance.

High-end component supplier
KeyTec specialises in developing and supplying thermoforming and injection-moulding components for vacuum applications and is a well-known supplier of components in high-end materials.
More information is available on the KeyTec website. 

About ECN
ECN is the largest research institute in the Netherlands in the field of energy. It holds a strong international position in the fields of solar energy, wind energy, policy and strategy studies, biomass, energy efficiency and environmental research. We develop knowledge and technology, with and for the market, to enable a transition to a sustainable energy system. With its energy research, ECN focuses on a sustainable energy system: safe, reliable and environment-friendly. ECN also conducts research on future opportunities and economic backgrounds in the field of energy. ECN has offices in Petten, Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Goirle, Wieringermeer, Brussels and China. More information is available on the ECN website. 

Contact
If you have any questions about the process and the materials that are described in this article, please contact:

ECN: Jan Opschoor,  opschoor@remove-this-part-ecn.nl ; telephone: +31 (0) 88 515 4491.
KeyTec:  Rudi Grootjans , rudi.grootjans@remove-this-part-keytec.nl;   telephone: +31 (0)46 4113832.

 

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