The beam intercepting devices for high energy particle accelerators as LHC, must be designed to withstand the close interaction with intense and energetic particle beams, safely operating over an extended range of temperatures in harsh environments and extreme conditions (pressure, strain-rate, radiation), which are to become more demanding with the High Luminosity LHC. An extensive R&D program has been launched at CERN to develop novel materials capable of replacing or complementing materials used for present equipments. Literature data are scarce or non-existing for these materials.
The Mechanical Measurement Lab is equipped with an unique set of equipments to perform mechanical characterisation of the materials from room temperature up to 1200°C. Tensile, compression, flexural tests on 3 or 4 points can be performed from room temperature up to 1200°C according to ISO standard. In addition, the laboratory is equipped with a test bench for non destructive evaluation of Young and shear modulus bases on impact excitation technique.
Specific developments can also be performed to perform non standard tests from 77K up to 1500K.