Powder-Route Synthesis and Mechanical Testing of Ultrafine Grain Tungsten Alloys

We report a W-rich alloy (W-7Cr-9Fe, at. pct) produced by high-energy ball milling, with alloying additions that both lower the densification temperature and retard grain growth. The alloy's consolidation behavior and the resultant compacts' microstructure and mechanical properties are explored. Under one condition, a 98 pct dense compact with a mean grain size of 130 nm was achieved, and exhibited a hardness of 13.5 GPa, a dynamic uniaxial yield strength of 4.14 GPa in Kolsky bar experiments, and signs of structural shear localization during deformation.