Investigation into phase formation during diffusion interaction of tungsten-rhenium alloy with liquid aluminium under conditions of weightlessness

The laws governing diffusion interaction between aluminium melt and solid tungsten-rhenium alloy under conditions of the joint space flight of Soyuz and Apollo spaceships have been studied. It is shown that a diphase layer was formed between the alloy and aluminium during high temperature annealing (Tsub(max) approximately 1030 deg C), and individual phase fragments are found in various aluminium matrix regions in metallographic specimen sections examined. The main laws governing the phase formation conditions observed under ground conditions are also maintained during the space flight. The analysis of the results obtained made it possible to conclude that zero-g produces only an insignificant effect on diffusion phase forming process conditions. Among the specific features of the above interaction under weightlessness conditions were: increased porosity in the diffusion layer-tungsten rhenium alloy contact zone; precipitation of high aluminium phases in aluminium matrix