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

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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.