SHS Synthesis, SPS Densification and Mechanical Properties of Nanometric Tungsten

Recent studies have shown that low grain sizes are favorable to improve ductility and machinability in tungsten, as well a resistance ablation spallation, which key properties for the use of this material thermonuclear fusion environment (Tokamaks such ITER). However, one possible incidents during Tokamak operation is leakage air or water from cooling system inside chamber, resulting so-called loss vacuum accident (LOVA), extensive oxidation may arise on tungsten components, an alloy with improved therefore highly desirable. As current production routes not suitable fabrication bulk nanostructured alloys samples, we proposed new methodology based powder metallurgy, including synthesis, densification procedure, preliminary mechanical testing, was successfully applied pure tungsten. A similar study hereby presented tungsten-chromium up 6 wt.% Cr. Results show full be obtained by SPS at temperature lower than 1600 °C. The morphology strongly depends amount alloying element, presenting second phase chromium oxide, but always keeps partial nanostructure inherited synthesized powders. Such microstructure had previously been identified being these materials environments properties, hardness, yield strength ductility, all confirmed present study.