W-steel and W-WC-steel composites and FGMs produced by hot pressing

Tungsten-steel composites and functionally graded materials (FGMs) are being developed for potential application in plasma facing components of fusion devices. Their role is to reduce thermal stresses at the interface between plasma facing tungsten armor and structural material. In this study, uniform composites and graded layers produced from tungsten and steel powders by hot pressing were investigated. Fully dense composites with uniform distribution and good bonding of the phases were formed. A thin layer of Fe2W intermetallic phase was found at the interfaces. To avoid its formation, a third phase (tungsten carbide) was introduced between tungsten and steel. Structure, thermal and mechanical properties of both types of composites in the as-produced and annealed state were characterized.