Preparation and sintering of nanometer W-2 wt.%Y2O3 composite powders

W-2 wt.%Y2O3 composite material with uniform distribution of yttrium element was fabricated through processes of mechanical alloying (MA) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The relevant productions were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The XRD showed that the W-2 wt.%Y2O3 composite powder, including tungsten matrix and Y2O3 particles, was refined to nanometer sizes during the MA process. The SEM and TEM micrographs showed that the MA produced composite powder presented a lamellar morphology and contained many dislocations and microcracks. The EDS showed that the Y and O elements were uniformly distributed in the W matrix after mechanically alloying for 15 h. The W-2 wt.%Y2O3 composite material with uniform distribution of yttrium was obtained by sintering of the MA produced composite powder.

XRD patterns of W-2%Y2O3 composite powder after different MA time, showing evolution of FWHM of tungsten matrix peaks and intensity of Y2O3 peaks (a) Evolution of tungsten matrix peaks; (b) Local XRD patterns highlighting Y2O3 peaksFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide