Investigation of microstructure and irradiation behavior of W–Nb/Ti composites prepared by spark plasma sintering

W–Nb/Ti composites were prepared by machine milling and spark plasma sintering. Field–emission scanning electron microscopy, high–resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses were used to characterize the samples. Thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) was used to measure the deuterium retention after only deuterium irradiation. The deuterium retention in W–4wt%Ti–wt1%Nb was lower than that in pure W (D₂⁺ flux ∼10²² ions/(m² s), ion energy ∼5 keV), Nb and Ti will improve the deuterium irradiation resistance of tungsten composite. In addition, transgranular and intergranular fractures were observed on the surface of the W–4 wt% Ti–1 wt% Nb composite. A Ti_(X)W_(1−X) solid solution was formed during sintering. The maximum tensile strength (410.53 MPa) was detected in the W–4wt%Ti–1wt%Nb composite at 600 °C.