Synthesis and characteristics of W-Ti alloy dispersed with Y2Ti2O7 oxides

Tungsten based ODS alloys are the focus of attention in developing plasma-facing materials for future fusion devices. The stable Y2Ti2O7 dispersed oxide phase has recently attracted considerable interest due to good lattice coherence with the matrix and refinement of the oxide particles. In this present work, the Y2Ti2O7 oxide phase has been successfully synthesized. New W-Ti model alloys with different amounts of the dispersed oxide particles fabricated by mechanical alloying were investigated. The effect of Y2Ti2O7 on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the model alloys has been examined. The results show that an appropriate amount of Y2Ti2O7 in the tungsten matrix exhibits homogeneous microstructure with a uniform distribution of Ti-rich oxide particles, resulting in an increase in hardness and elastic modulus of the alloys. Oxidation of the materials and formation of complex Ti-Y-O oxides during ball milling and sintering are also discussed.