"Recovery Of Reactor Electrical Assemblies Using Differential De-Encapsulation
To Remove Dielectric Insulation Systems"

Abstract:  "State-of-the-art de-encapsulation technologies, associated with the thermoset resin dielectric insulation systems employed in the construction of coil windings for advanced magnetic confinement fusion reactors, do not allow for accurate fatigue/failure analysis or reliable recovery of costly assembly components.  Differential De-encapsulation allows for the selective removal of contemporary thermoset resin based insulation systems and permits the non-destructive interlaminar penetration of the cured dielectric insulation; enabling both the examination of critical in-situ areas and the recovery of high performance metallic and non-metallic components for remanufacture.  The availability of engineering design and material performance data from the selective and non-destructive removal of insulation materials will contribute to the validation of device design configuration and assembly methodology and to the assessment of key constituent material selection and processing parameters. The capability to document root cause insulation system failure mechanisms will lead to increased life cycle performance and the ability to recover coil and core assemblies for remanufacture will have a major economic impact on reactor management costs."