Review of embrittlement mechanisms in tungsten heavy alloys. [W-Ni-Fe]

Conference · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5602569

Gurwell, W E

Tungsten heavy alloys compete directly with depleted uranium for applications requiring a high-density material. In some applications, such as armor-piercing projectiles, where high toughness is required, tungsten heavy alloys are perceived to suffer from generally low or inconsistent toughness. Commercial tungsten heavy alloys containing 90% to 97% tungsten are therefore liquid-phase sintered in hydrogen to full density and then annealed to reduce hydrogen embrittlement. This paper reviews published investigations of the embrittling mechanisms responsible for toughness variations in W-Ni-Fe alloys. These mechanisms include: (1) incomplete oxide reduction, (2) residual porosity, (3) increased contiguity, (4) hydrogen embrittlement, (5) impurity segregation, (6) variation in ductile-to-brittle transition temperature, (7) tungsten precipitation in the matrix, and (8) mechanical working and annealing. The general properties and fracture behavior of the alloys are outlined. Published information on embrittling mechanisms is then reviewed and integrated into a single picture.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 5602569
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-13645; CONF-8605116-1; ON: DE86011114
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360103* -- Metals & Alloys-- Mechanical Properties
ALLOYS
ANNEALING
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DUCTILE-BRITTLE TRANSITIONS
DUCTILITY
EMBRITTLEMENT
FRACTURE PROPERTIES
HARDENING
HEAT TREATMENTS
IRON ALLOYS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MICROSTRUCTURE
NICKEL ALLOYS
PRECIPITATION HARDENING
TENSILE PROPERTIES
TUNGSTEN ALLOYS
TUNGSTEN BASE ALLOYS