Development of high densified tantalum-tungsten alloy by powder metallurgy route

In this study, Ta and premixed Ta-3 wt%W powders were consolidated through spark plasma sintering (SPS) and hot pressing (HP) techniques at 2200 and 2000 °C, respectively. After density measurements, the samples were heat treated at 1100 °C for 4 h in vacuum atmosphere. The high densified PM tantalum and tantalum alloy were subjected to x-ray diffraction (XRD) examination, hardness, and Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) testing. The decrease in lattice parameter measurement of Ta-3 wt%W composition showed the alloying process has taken place during heat treatment procedure. The microstructure and hardness testing showed the uniform distribution of W within Ta-3 wt%W samples. The dynamic compressive yield strengths were 2203 and 2156 MPa for Ta-3 wt%W samples produced by HP and SPS, respectively. Also, the heat treatment improved ductility while high strength was maintained. (paper)