Influence of ZrC content on the elevated temperature tensile properties of ZrCp/W composites

Research highlights: → The high temperature tensile properties were investigated. → Tensile strength increases firstly, and then decreases with increasing temperature. → Tensile strength reaches to the maximum values at 1000-1200 deg. C. → High temperature tensile strength and rupture strain decreases with increasing ZrC content. - Abstract: The influence of ZrC content on the tensile deformation behavior and fracture strength of ZrCp/W composites in a temperature range of 800-1400 deg. C was investigated. Both of the non-linear feature of the stress-strain curve and the rupture strain of the composites decreased with increasing ZrC content from 20 to 50 vol% in all the tested temperatures. The maximum ultimate tensile strength of each ZrCp/W composite was found in the temperature range of 1000-1200 deg. C. With increasing ZrC content from 20 to 50 vol%, the maximum ultimate tensile strength of the ZrCp/W composite was decreased due to the porosity increase and the plasticity decrease of the composite although ZrC enhanced the tungsten matrix via load transferring and blocking dislocation movement in tungsten matrix.