Overview
Tungsten based structural components are commercially being prepared from wrought tungsten by hot-pressing/sintering followed by hot rolling at high temperatures. An alternate simple PM processing route comprising of blending, milling, reduction and spark plasma sintering could be adopted for fabricating such components. The advantage of such processing is retention of fine grain size with uniform distribution and no abnormal grain growth leading to improved hardness and strength in the sintered components. The role of additives was found to be critical in achieving properties identical to that of hot rolled components. The powder composition and the processing conditions was optimized. Microstructural investigations through SEM and EBSD were carried out to explain the enhanced densification at much lower temperatures and were correlated with the mechanical properties achieved.
Key Features
Fabricated in sizes of 20, 50 and 95 mm diameter upto 10 mm thickness
Density 98.5% of theoretical with grain size 2-3 µm
Hardness > 450 HVN and TRS ≥ 750 MPa achieved
Additives play an important role in attaining properties
Milling, reduction and sintering steps are involved
Scaled up process for commercial applications
Alternate PM based route for fabricating W-components
Potential Applications
Strategic applications
Status
- Processing and properties are validated at laboratory scale
- Coupon level demonstrated
- Scaled up technology available
Intellectual Property Development Index (IPDI)
Level
1
2
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4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Description
Basic concepts and understanding of underlying scientific principles
Shortlisting possible applications
Research to prove technical feasibility for targeted application
Coupon level testing in simulated conditions
Check repeatability/consistency
Prototype testing in real-life conditions
Check repeatability/consistency
Reassessing feasibility (IP, competition technology, commercial)
Initiate technology transfer
Support in stabilizing production
Status
| Level | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Basic concepts and understanding of underlying scientific principles | Shortlisting possible applications | Research to prove technical feasibility for targeted application | Coupon level testing in simulated conditions | Check repeatability/consistency | Prototype testing in real-life conditions | Check repeatability/consistency | Reassessing feasibility (IP, competition technology, commercial) | Initiate technology transfer | Support in stabilizing production |
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Dibyendu Chakravarty, PVV Srinivas and R. Vijay, ‘Method of fabricating tungsten based composite sheets by spark plasma sintering technique for making components’, Indian Patent application no. 201911014933, dtd. 13.04.2019
Ultrahigh transverse rupture strength in tungsten-based nanocomposites with minimal lattice misfit and dual microstructure, Int. J. Ref. Metals New Mater. 95, 105454, 2021.