Thermomechanical Response of ICF Wall Components to Pulsed Heat Flux

ICF dry wall components of high temperature materials are analyzed for temperature response, thermal stress and mechanical stress from induced vibration. The effects of temperature-dependent conductivity and elasticity are assessed for components subjected to sequential heat flux pulses. Graphite, unirradiated and irradiated silcon carbide are considered. It is shown that since graphite has a negative conductivity change and positive modulus change with increasing temperature, the difference between the variable and constant property solutions for stress can be significant, particularly for smaller pulse widths. Such differences are not as great for silicon carbide due to a decreasing modulus with increasing temperature.