Mechanical tests on the welding part of SS316LN after heat treatment for Nb3Sn superconducting conductor

Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI) plans to construct a tokamak fusion device called JT-60SC in which superconducting magnet systems will be used. The purpose in this paper is to qualify type 316LN stainless steel (SS316LN) for use as the conduit material of the Nb3Sn cable-in-conduit conductor for the central solenoid (CS) of JT-60SC. Tensile properties, fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth rates of the as-welded metal and the aged (923 K × 240 h) one of SS316LN were evaluated at 4 K. The tensile properties and fatigue crack growth rates were adequate to ensure the design requirements for JT-60SC. However, fracture toughness of the aged weld metal could not be validated due to unstable crack growth. It was concluded that improvement of fracture toughness after aging was required to ensure the structural integrity of the CS conduit.