Plasma exposure of tungsten produced via powder injection molding in the linear plasma device PSI-2

Tungsten is envisaged as plasma facing material in fusion reactors because of its small tritium retention and low erosion rate as well as its high melting point and high thermal conductivity. However, it is very hard and brittle, which makes it difficult and expensive to fabricate and prone to crack formation under transient heat loads. The first disadvantage can be ameliorated using Powder Injection Molding (PIM) as fabrication route . With its near-net-shape precision the method offers particularly the advantage of cost saving. Furthermore PIM is an ideal tool for scientific investigations and efficient production of new oxide and carbide doped materials.