Characterization and heat flux testing of beryllium coatings on Inconel for JET ITER-like wall project

In order to perform a fully integrated material test, JET has launched the ITER-like wall project with the aim of installing a full metal wall during the next major shutdown. The material foreseen for the main chamber wall is bulk Be at the limiters and Be coatings on inconel tiles elsewhere. R&D process comprises global characterization ( structure, purity etc) of the evaporated films and testing of their performance under heat loads. The major results are (i) the layers have survived energy loads of 20 MJ m(-2) which is significantly above the required level of 5 - 10 MJ m(-2), (ii) melting limit of beryllium coating would be at the energy level of 30 MJ m(-2), (iii) cyclic thermal load of 10 MJ m(-2) for up to 50 cycles have not induced any noticeable damage such as flaking or detachment.