Microstructure and mechanical properties of hot isostatic pressed tungsten heavy alloy with FeNiCoCrMn high entropy alloy binder

Microstructural development and mechanical properties of tungsten heavy alloy, WHA, with FeNiCoCrMn high entropy alloy, HEA, binder were investigated and compared to conventional WHA using Fe-Ni binder. Both WHAs, with HEA and conventional Fe-Ni binders, were fabricated by hot isostatic pressing at a temperature of 1450 degrees C in an argon environment. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that WHA with HEA and conven-tional binders possessed uniform and well-refined microstructures. Energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, XRD, spectroscopy validated the formation and composition of HEA, existing as a skeletal network surrounding tungsten grains. HEA binder exhibited an overall increase of 42% in micro Vickers hardness values. Furthermore, hardness values of the tungsten heavy alloy were also seen to rise when fabricated with HEA binder. However, WHA sample with HEA binder was seen to undergo faster strain hardening and a premature failure, leading to lower values of ultimate strength and reduced ductility.(c) 2022 National University of Sciences and Technology. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

The microstructural development and mechanical properties of tungsten heavy alloy (WHA) with a FeNiCoCrMn high entropy alloy (HEA) binder were investigated and compared to conventional WHA with a Fe-Ni binder. Both types of WHA were fabricated by hot isostatic pressing in an argon environment. The WHAs with HEA and conventional binders exhibited uniform and refined microstructures. The HEA binder showed a 42% increase in micro Vickers hardness values, and the tungsten heavy alloy fabricated with HEA binder also had higher hardness values. However, the WHA sample with HEA binder experienced faster strain hardening, premature failure, and lower ultimate strength and ductility.