Anisotropy and stability of the mechanical properties of the W alloy plate reinforced with Y-Zr-O particles and prepared by a wet chemical method

• Published in: International journal of refractory metals & hard materials Vol. 99; p. 105597
• Main Authors: Zhao, Zhi-Hao, Yao, Gang, Luo, Lai-Ma, Zan, Xiang, Xu, Qiu, Wu, Yu-Cheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shrewsbury Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Anisotropy; Annealing; Compression tests; Compressive strength; Ductile-brittle transition; Hot rolling; Mechanical properties; Metal plates; Recrystallization; Rolling direction; Stability; Strain rate; Strengthening mechanism; Thermal stability; Tungsten base alloys; W alloy; Y-Zr-O particle doping; Yttrium; Zirconium; W alloy; Mechanical properties; Y-Zr-O particle doping; Thermal stability; Strengthening mechanism
• ISSN: 0263-4368; 2213-3917
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2021.105597

The anisotropy and stability of the mechanical properties of the W alloy plate (W–0.4 wt% Y2(Zr)O3, designed as WYZ) reinforced with Y-Zr-O particles and fabricated by a wet chemical method and hot rolling were studied by compression tests. The initial recrystallization temperature of the WYZ alloy is 200 °C (about 1400 °C) higher than that of pure W with similar processes, and shows obvious increased compressive strength as well. The difference in the microstructure of various surfaces leads to evident anisotropy in the mechanical properties of the WYZ alloy. The different orientation strengths are arranged as follows: rolling direction (R-WYZ) > transverse direction (T-WYZ) > normal direction (N-WYZ). The strength of the WYZ alloy will decrease after recrystallization annealing, but the WYZ alloy annealed at 1600 °C still had an ultimate compressive strength comparable to the pure W sample with a similar preparation process. The increased compression strain rate transformed the WYZ alloy from ductile to brittle. The key factors of orientation and recrystallization influencing the compression behavior of the WYZ samples were analyzed and discussed, and the possible mechanism of the WYZ alloy reinforced with Y-Zr-O particles was also proposed. •The compression strength and properties stability of W matrix is significantly improved by doped trace of Y-Zr-O particles.•The compression strength anisotropy conforms to the following law: R-WYZ > T-WYZ > N-WYZ.•The increased compression strain rate lead to the transition from ductility to brittleness of the WYZ alloy.•The improvement of properties were attributed to the dislocation, grain refinement, and second phase strengthening.