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Tungsten Heavy Alloys from Mixed Feedstock by RF Plasma

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Abstract

Tungsten heavy alloys (WHA) are particulate composites of spherical W particles embedded in a ductile Ni-rich matrix. In our study, pre-treated W and Ni feedstock powders were used to prepare three different compositions (all wt.%) for spraying: W-10Ni, W-20Ni for two different WHA, and W-65Ni for a matrix-only material without the reinforcing W particles. Using radio frequency inductively coupled plasma spraying (RF-ICP) method, low porosity deposits were obtained with ductility exceeding 5%. By a detailed study of the microstructure and the particle-matrix interfaces, the mechanism of the composite formation was identified: a rapid dissolution of W in the liquid Ni and a subsequent W particle solidification followed by the solidification of the matrix. The mechanical properties of the composites are defined by the Ni-rich matrix (tough and significantly stronger than pure Ni) with well bonded stiff W particles. The elastic behavior was related to the W content following the Reuss model, describing a layered composite modulus in a serial configuration. Contrary to this, in the plastic regime, all WHA exhibited nearly identical behavior regardless of the W content. In this regime, the deformation of the W particles reached several percent, indicating an extremely strong particle-matrix bonding. Last, the failure mechanisms of the materials were investigated, with the matrix behavior governing the fatigue failure, and particle-matrix decohesion dominating in the static loading at higher loads.

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Acknowledgments

The Czech Science Foundation project Nr. 19-14339S and financial support by the European Regional Development Fund in the frame of the project Centre of Advanced Applied Sciences (No. CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16 019/0000778) are gratefully acknowledged. R. Zlatnik and T. Bajer are acknowledged for the RF-ICP and cyclic bend test device schematics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials, Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Trojanova 13, Prague 2, 120 00, Prague, Czech Republic

    Ondrej Kovarik, Jakub Klecka, Miroslav Karlik, Jaroslav Cech & Hynek Lauschmann

  2. Institute of Plasma Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, U Slovanky 2525/1a, Prague 8, 182 00, Prague, Czech Republic

    Jan Cizek & Jakub Klecka

  3. Department of Physics of Materials, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, Ke Karlovu 5, Prague 2, 121 16, Prague, Czech Republic

    Jiri Kozlik

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  1. Ondrej Kovarik
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Kovarik, O., Cizek, J., Klecka, J. et al. Tungsten Heavy Alloys from Mixed Feedstock by RF Plasma. J Therm Spray Tech 32, 2747–2762 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11666-023-01647-6

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