Modelling residual stress and mechanical performance of advanced joints for nuclear fusion

Nuclear fusion has the potential to offer sustainable and clean electricity. However, the engineering challenges associated with design, manufacturing and structural integrity of high value-added fusion components is yet to be overcome. A typical component is the breeding blanket, both Eurofer97- Eurofer97 welded similar joints and Tungsten (W) - Eurofer97 brazed dissimilar joints that utilise complex materials systems, complicated joining geometry and fabrication processes. Residual stress is a side effect inherited from joining processes, such as welding and brazing, and can limit the service life of the components. To complete design of the next fusion reactor by ~2030, it is timely to apply state-of-the-art techniques to examine and create fundamental understandings of the critical residual stress and mechanical behaviour of the welded and brazed Eurofer97. These can be enhanced with finite-element method to provide systematic means of evaluating a wide range of mechanical behaviour of similar and dissimilar joints for nuclear fusion.