Microstructure and properties of W/Sm2O3 composites prepared spark plasma sintering

•Effect of doped Sm2O3 on microstructures and properties were investigated.•Sm2O3 particles had an effect in densifying and improving the thermal conductivity.•The W–3 wt%Sm2O3 composite showed opposite behavior against pure tungsten.

W–3 wt%Sm2O3 composite powders were formed by mechanical alloying for 5 h. The powders were consolidated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1800 °C to suppress grain growth during sintering. Microstructure and properties of W–3 wt%Sm2O3 composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, microhardness test, and thermal conductivity test. The grain size, relative density of the W–3 wt%Sm2O3 composites were 3–4 μm and 91%, respectively. As the temperature rises from 25 to 800 °C, the thermal conductivity of W–3 wt%Sm2O3 composites increased and the thermal conductivity of the samples was above 170 W/m K at room temperature.

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