Fabrication of W–Cu functionally graded material with improved mechanical strength

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 601; pp. 289 - 292
• Main Authors: Zhao, Pei, Guo, Shibin, Liu, Guanghua, Chen, Yixiang, Li, Jiangtao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 15.07.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Casting; Elasticity. Plasticity; Exact sciences and technology; Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology; Metals and alloys; Metals. Metallurgy; Microstructure; Powder metallurgy. Composite materials; Production techniques; Solidification; Technology; W–Cu materials; Casting; Metals and alloys; Microstructure; W–Cu materials; Solidification; Melt infiltration; Combustion synthesis; W―Cu materials; Transition metal; Fabrication property relation; Composite material; Dislocation; Sintering; Functionnally graded material; Tungsten; Plasticity; Copper; Strength; Gravity
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2014.01.180

•We prepared W–Cu FGM, valuable for nuclear fusion, by a new method in a short time.•Some of the Cu grains which were surrounded by W were about 50nm.•The prepared W–Cu showed 15% higher bending strength than commercial W–Cu products.•The prepared W–Cu also showed a better plasticity than commercial W–Cu products. W–Cu functionally graded material (FGM) is prepared by a novel method of high-gravity combustion synthesis and melt-infiltration in a short time. In the W–Cu FGM, W grains are micron-sized and partially sintered to form an incomplete net structure, the Cu grains surrounded by W are about 50nm, and lots of dislocations exist in the Cu phase. The W-rich layer shows both better strength and plasticity than the commercial W–Cu composite with a similar composition prepared by a conventional infiltration method.