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The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) magnetic system includes 18 toroidal field (TF) coils constructed using Nb3Sn cable-in-conduit superconductor. Each TF coil comprises a winding pack (WP) composed of seven double pancake modules stacked together, impregnated and inserted into a stainless steel coil case. Ten TF coils are being produced in Europe, under the responsibility of Fusion for Energy (F4E, the European Domestic Agency), while the remaining nine TF coils are being produced in Japan. F4E has implemented a strategy dividing the procurement into three packages. One is related to the construction of 70 radial plates (RP), another to the fabrication of 10 WP, and a third to the cold test and coil-case insertion of 10 WP. After 7 years of R&D and qualification activities and of industrial production, the first ITER TF coilWPhas been completed in Europe. Factory acceptance tests, including leak, dimensional, and electrical tests at room temperature, were completed in May 2017 and the series production of the remaining nine TF WPs in Europe is underway. The first package has been completed and all 70 RP have been delivered. Commissioning ofmajor tooling for the third package is to be performed at the end of 2017. In this paper, we report on the test of the first TF WP and on the status of the remaining production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first European superconducting winding pack (WP) and the first set of coil cases [toroidal field coil cases (TFCC)] for ITER are going to be delivered in 2017. The TFCC are steel structures that provide structural integrity to the WP, contribute to neutron shielding capacity, provide support to operating forces, and offer interface connections with the rest of the ITER machine. The TFCC assembly is formed by four main parts: two sectors with U-shaped section and two closure plates, which, after being welded together, enclose the WP. Each TFCC weights about 150 t and presents a wall thickness from 60 to 120 mm. The presence of distortions when welding such thick structures is particularly problematic in these components, which require tight tolerances and include several interfaces with other parts of the machine. In order to compensate the distortions, extra material is present in the critical areas to allow postwelding machining. The amount of extra material has to be optimized to reduce machining time and therefore the cost of the manufacturing. Thus, the evaluation of the welding-caused distortions is essential in order to confirm the extra-material strategy. In this scenario, an experimental and simulation campaign has been set up to predict the deformation of the TFCC during welding. First, welding coupons were welded in representative configurations. Then, these data were used to build a preliminary finite element method (FEM) model tool, using ANSYS software, which was then benchmarked against a "blind test" coupon and three TFCC-like mock-ups of 1-m length. Finally, a full FEM model was constructed using the previous outputs and is currently under assessment to predict the deformation of the TFCC during the welding process. This paper presents the numerical and experimental activities carried out so far, being EnginSoft S.p.A. the developer of FEM models, SIMIC S.p.A. the responsible of welding processes and data acquisition, and Fusion for Energy the contractual and technical supervisor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We recycle old newspaper by obtaining reinforcement fibers. [•] We tested the materials to obtain their Younǵs modulus. [•] Hirsch and Halpin–Tsai models were used to obtain the intrinsic properties. [•] A fiber tensile modulus factor is presented to have in account the fiber contributions to the property. [•] The industry friendliness of the models is evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present paper explores the aptness of old newspapers as a source of reinforcing fibers for composite materials. Different percentages of newspaper fibers, obtained by wet (ONPF) and by dry processes (CONPF), were compounded with polypropylene (PP). A coupling agent was added to the compound to improve the interface between matrix and reinforcing fibers. Tensile test were performed to obtain the mechanical properties of the composite materials. Composite materials reinforced with sized glass fiber (GF) were also prepared and tested. The mechanical properties of the materials were compared. A fiber tensile strength factor (FTSF) and a fiber tensile modulus factor (FTMF) were proposed to evaluate the contribution of the reinforcement fibers to the tensile properties of the composite materials. Finally a pump body, made with GF/PP composites was modeled and tested to obtain the nodal stresses and deformations under nominal pressure. A list of ONPF, CONPF reinforced composite materials was proposed to replace the GF/PP. A body pump was mold injected with a CONPF/PP composite, was assembled in a water pump and tested under nominal working conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]