Effect of tungsten content on the microstructure and tensile properties of Ni–xW–6Cr alloys

Ni–xW–6Cr alloys have been considered as one of the potential structural materials for molten salt techniques, whereas their microstructure and mechanical performance have not been sufficiently studied. In this study, the microstructure and tensile deformation behavior of Ni–(10–35 wt%)W–6Cr alloys have been systematically investigated. The phase diagram calculations indicated that the solubility limit of W is 34 wt% in Ni–xW–6Cr alloy. α-W phase is formed in the matrix while the W content exceeds such limit. The fracture of the Ni–(10–35 wt%)W–6Cr alloys at room temperature is in the transgranular ductile fracture mode. The tensile properties of alloys, except for the elongation of Ni–35 wt%W–6Cr alloy, are improved with the increase of W content, which can be explained by the larger lattice distortion, the lower stack fault energy and the higher length fraction of twin boundaries (Σ3 and Σ9 type) in the Ni–(10–35 wt%)W–6Cr alloys caused by the addition of more W. The reduced elongation of the Ni–35 wt%W–6Cr alloy is ascribed to the particles in α-W phase which act as the main nucleation sites for cracking.