The chemical composition and parameters of production processes influence on structure and properties of W-Ni-Fe alloys

Tungsten heavy alloys, i.e. tungsten based metal-matrix composites are characterized by unique properties, because except their high hardness, strength and density, they also possess excellent ductility, impact strength, machinability and corrosion resistance. This combination of properties makes these alloys suitable for wide range of engineering applications, e.g. in the mechanical engineering, in the mining, sport and medicine and also in the armament and aviation. Production process of these materials consists of many phases and it is very difficult to accomplish, because properties of heavy alloys are extremely sensitive to processing history. In this article dependence of chemical composition of mixture of powders on structure and mechanical properties of W-Ni-Fe alloys was determined. It was found that increase of tungsten contents and Ni/Fe ratio causes reduction of ductility and increase of growth rate of tungsten particle. There is the maximum ultimate tensile strength of W-Ni-Fe alloys with content of tungsten 93%. The study also presents relationship between these properties and succeeding parameters of production process: composition of sintering atmosphere, time and temperature following heat treatment and plastic working. Using a wet hydrogen atmosphere (with high dew point) causes reduction of porosity and improvement of mechanical properties. With sintering temperature above 1500oC these parameters decrease. If the sintering time is elongated above 1 h also density and mechanical properties of heavy alloys decrease. Tungsten heavy alloys are also used for production of kinetic energy penetrators and so properties for different range of strain rates were compared. It was found that yield and failure strengths increase with increasing strain rate, failure strain decreases with increasing strain rate. This information can help in optimization the production process of such composites. (author)