Synthesis and thermal expansion of 4J36/ZrW2O8 composites

Gas atomized 4J36 alloy powder was milled for 72 h then mixed with ZrW2O8 powder and sintered at 600 degrees C for 411 under argon atmosphere. 4J36/ZrW2O8 composites containing 10 vol.%, 20 vol.%, 30 vol.%, and 40 vol.% ZrW2O8 were fabricated, the relative density of which ranged from 70% to 80%. Thermal expansion coefficients of the composites decreased as the amount of ZrW2O8 increased, in agreement with the rule of the mixture. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the 4J36/40 vol.%ZrW2O8 composite in 25-100 degrees C is 0.55 x 10-6/degrees C.