A Mini-Review on the Thermal Fatigue Properties of Copper Materials Applied at the Front-End of Synchrotron Radiation Facilities

Abstract

Oxygen-free high-conductivity copper (OFHC), chromium-zirconium copper (CuCrZr), and Glidcop® AL-15 are widely used in the high heat load absorber elements at the front end of synchrotron radiation facilities. It is necessary to choose the most suitable material according to the actual engineering conditions (such as the specific heat load, material performance, and costs). In the long-term service period, the absorber elements have to bear hundreds or kilowatts of high heat load and its “load-unload” cyclic loading mode. Therefore, the thermal fatigue and thermal creep properties of the materials are critical and have been extensively studied. In this paper, based on the published pieces of the literature, the thermal fatigue theory, experimental principles, methods, test standards, test types of equipment, and key indicators of the thermal fatigue performance of typical copper metal materials used in the front end of synchrotrons radiation Facilities are reviewed, as well as the relevant studies carried out by the well-known synchrotron radiation institutions. In particular, the fatigue failure criteria for these materials and some effective methods for improving the thermal fatigue resistance performance of the high-heat load components are also presented.

A Comprehensive Review of Fatigue Strength in Pure Copper Metals (DHP, OF, ETP)

“…Graphs that correlate stresses and strains to the number of cycles (S-N and ε-N) enable engineers to determine safe design limits for stress and strain. Studies of pure copper have been conducted for projects that require extremely high reliability, such as nuclear power plants, synchrotrons or the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) [2]. In addition, the development of high-power piezo-ceramic actuators since 1950 [3] has enabled the reliable execution of high-cycle fatigue (HCF) and very high-cycle fatigue (VHCF) tests within a short timeframe and at high frequencies using the ultrasonic fatigue testing approach.…”