Thermal fatigue crack propagation behaviour of F82H ferritic steel

Abstract This paper presents an issue obtained from thermal fatigue research, which attempts to examine the fusion reactor first wall by fracture mechanics. The research is organised with two different approaches: 1. Studies of the thermal fatigue crack propagation behaviour on notched 5-mm thick plate specimens of ferritic steel F82H (9Cr-1W), compared with 9Cr-1Mo ferritic steel and type 316 stainless steel; 2. Numerical simulations of the stress field caused by thermal loads including fracture mechanics. It is concluded that the stress intensity factor ΔKI is substantial for crack growth while cyclic thermal loading.