Tensile properties of K-doped W–3%Re

In this work, the tensile properties of K-doped W–3%Re were investigated. This material was fabricated by powder metallurgy and hot rolling on an industrial scale. It is expected that there would be improvement of the high-temperature strength, an increase of the recrystallization temperature, and a decrease in the ductile–brittle transition temperature (DBTT) of pure tungsten due to the dispersion of K bubbles and the addition of 3% Re. In addition, suppression of the formation of irradiation-induced defect clusters is also expected. Tensile tests in the temperature range from room temperature to 1800 °C were conducted. After the tensile tests, fracture surface observations were carried out using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The tensile strength decreased with increasing test temperature. Elongation of K-doped W–3%Re was observed above 500 °C. The results of fracture surface observation showed that delamination of the layered structure occurred at 500, 700, and 900 °C and cracking along the grain boundaries occurred at 1500 and 1800 °C.