Fabrication, characterization, and mechanical properties of 93W-4.9Ni-2.1Fe/95W-2.8Ni-1.2Fe-1Al2O3 heavy alloy composites

In this study, tungsten heavy alloy (WHA) composites were fabricated based on tungsten (W), nickel (Ni), and iron (Fe) system. WHA composites with the composition 93W-4.9Ni-2.1Fe/95W-2.8Ni-1.2Fe-1Al(2)O(3) were prepared by liquid-phase sintering and post-heat treatment to meet the requirement for complex mechanical performance. The relationship between the microstructural characteristics (relative density, W-grain size, and W-W contiguity) and mechanical properties was investigated. Variation in the content of Wand addition of Al2O3 resulted in a significant difference in the microstructure of the two parts of W-NiFe heavy alloy composite. The microstructure of the alloy significantly influenced the tensile properties of the two parts of the W-Ni-Fe heavy alloy composite; however, it did not affect their compressive deformation behaviors. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.