On the relation between the structure of tungsten sinters and the temperature field distribution

In the present study the correlation between the microstructural non-homogeneity and the distribution of the temperature field during the tungsten resistance sintering has been examined, in detail in order to find the major factors that influence the structure of the tungsten bar after sintering. The main attention was paid to the qualitative and quantitative examination of the microstructure of the tungsten bar after sintering. The distribution functions of the parameters characterizing the tungsten bar microstructure were determined and the results are presented. The temperature field and its gradient distributions obtained from appropriate computer simulations were compared with the fracture microstructure of the tungsten bar after sintering. The performed analysis has shown that there exist strict correlations between the nonuniform distribution of the temperature field and the non-homogeneous microstructure of a resistance-sintered tungsten bar. (author)