SLAC Finds Copper Melts Past 2,595°F Limit, Refining Fusion Material Models
Updated
Updated · Interesting Engineering · Aug 15
SLAC Finds Copper Melts Past 2,595°F Limit, Refining Fusion Material Models
1 articles · Updated · Interesting Engineering · Aug 15
Summary
Real-time SLAC experiments showed copper keeps part of its crystal lattice and melts gradually even beyond its 2,595°F superheating limit, overturning earlier predictions of a sudden collapse.
Using the MeV-UED electron camera, researchers tracked atomic motion in a laser-heated thin copper film down to the femtosecond, revealing pre-melting disorder at grain boundaries before the normal 1,985°F melting point.
Older simulations missed that behavior because they assumed static, uniform pressure; once the team added dynamic pressure conditions that let atoms relax, the calculations matched the measurements.
Nature Communications published the study, which sharpens material-screening models for fusion reactors, where chamber components must survive extreme heat spikes; the team next plans tests under balanced pressure and on copper alloys.