Dynamic mechanical behavior of 93W-4.9Ni-2.1Fe/95W-2.8Ni-1.2Fe-1Al2O3 heavy alloy composite

93W-4.9Ni-2.1Fe/95W-2.8Ni-1.2Fe-1Al2O3 (93WHA/95WHA) composites were fabricated by powder metallurgical routes to meet the demands pertaining to both the penetration and fragmentation performances. Mechanical behavior, adiabatic shear band (ASB) formation and fracture characteristics of the 93WHA/95WHA composites at high strain rate were evaluated using split Hopkinson bars. The relation between composition, microstructure and dynamic mechanical properties was investigated. The dynamic compression and tensile behavior of the 93WHA/95WHA composite are dependent on the 93WHA part and 95WHA part, respectively. The 93WHA part in the 93WHA/95WHA composite is more easily to form narrow and deep ASBs than the 95WHA part, showing excellent penetration performance. Brittle fracture occurs in the 95WHA part of the 93WHA/95WHA composite by W-W grain boundary separation and matrix rupture under dynamic tensile loading because of high W-W contiguity, residual porosity and addition of Al2O3 particles in the 95WHA part, providing conceivable fragmentation performance and secondary destruction.