The material requirements for structural and armor applications in the future nuclear fusion reactors impose a very high barrier to be surmounted in order to fulfill the safety requirements and reliable operation of the systems. The efforts of NRG and ECN in the developing of materials by Powder / Metal Injection Molding (PIM / MIM) are very promising and show a big potential of this technique as a prospective net shape parts manufacturing method, easily scalable to industrial level. Several MIM materials were developed by the ECN and characterized at NRG within European Fusion Development Agreement (EFDA) Work Programme. Of them, two materials - pure tungsten (W) and tungsten doped with 1vol% Y2O3 are demonstrating good potential for likely future use. Therefore, further characterization efforts are needed. The MIM W-1%Y2O3 material seems to be very promising material for armor applications. Extensive thermal shock testing performed at JUDITH 1 up to 1000 cycles and up to 1273 K did not cause crack formation.

Additionally, two-component mock-ups were produced using MIM technology. From the very first microstructural investigation of the join area appears that MIM technology can be used as a reliable component joining method.