High temperature indentation tests on fusion reactor candidate materials

Flat-top cylinder indenter for mechanical characterization (FIMEC) is an indentation technique employing cylindrical punches with diameters ranging from 0.5 to 2 mm. The test gives pressure–penetration curves from which the yield stress can be determined. The FIMEC apparatus was developed to test materials in the temperature range from −180 to +200 °C. Recently, the heating system of FIMEC apparatus has been modified to operate up to 500 °C. So, in addition to providing yield stress over a more extended temperature range, it is possible to perform stress–relaxation tests at temperatures of great interest for several nuclear fusion reactor (NFR) alloys. Data on MANET-II, F82H mod., Eurofer-97, EM-10, AISI 316 L, Ti6Al4V and CuCrZr are presented and compared with those obtained by mechanical tests with standard methods.