Study of Thermomechanical Behavior of Refractory Materials Under Thermal Gradient. Part I – Presentation of ATHORNA Device and Experimental Protocol

The study introduces the ATHORNA device, designed to apply controlled thermal gradients to refractory materials and monitor their thermomechanical behavior in situ. The device uses a disk-shaped sample and a CO2 laser to generate a well-defined temperature gradient, while infrared and optical cameras monitor temperature and strain fields. The ATHORNA device enables high-precision measurements, crucial for validating complex FEM models used in predicting the behavior of refractory materials under extreme conditions. The article highlights the importance of accurate experimental data for the validation of advanced modeling techniques, emphasizing the unique capabilities of the ATHORNA device in providing reliable and detailed insights into the thermomechanical behavior of refractory materials.