Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation Starting Joint Research to Produce Novel Carbon Composite Materials for Fusion Reactor Divertor

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation has initiated a joint research project in partnership with University of Tsukuba and Tokyo University of Science to produce novel carbon composite materials to be used for the divertor, a critical in-vessel component of fusion reactors. The Joint Research covers a range of themes related to development, evaluation and demonstration and social implementation. The Joint Research aims to create novel substances by adopting carbon composite materials as a base and impregnating high melting-point metals so as to achieve very high heat resistance, specifically to temperatures of 2000℃ and above, as well as high heat conductivity while providing appropriate plasma-proof performance, in a bid to meet requirements for use as a material of divertors. The Joint Research is considering the possibility of broadening the scope of application of the new materials beyond fusion reactors to the heat shielding of space shuttles and supersonic aircraft, with an eye to producing innovative materials originating in Japan and covering fusion and space.