Reduction of Sintering Temperature of Porous Tungsten Skeleton Used for Production of W-Cu Composites by Ultra High Compaction Pressure of Tungsten Powder

Abstract

Production of tungsten-copper composites includes compaction and sintering of tungsten powder, then infiltration of copper melt within the tungsten skeleton. Sintering of tungsten compacts usually requires a temperature range of 1800 to 2200°C. This means, this process not only needs advanced heating equipments and high expenses but also may cause formation of defects such as structural heterogeneities, cracks and distortions. In this research the required sintering temperature was reduced to 1500°C by increasing compaction pressure. Also the relation between compaction pressure applied through a cold isostatic press (CIP), and green density of the compacted tungsten powder was established. In addition, the effect of various pressures on densification of tungsten compacts during sintering at moderate temperature, i.e. 1500°C was studied, and the optimum structure for infiltration was chosen. Then by infiltrating Cu melt into the optimized W-skeleton, composites of W-Cu having a density of 17.2 gr/cm3 were produced. This method of production provides an innovative technique for obtaining a desired density of infiltrable skeleton, sinterable at a lower temperature than the temperatures used for the conventionally packed W-compacts without introducing structural inhomogeneities during sintering. Study of some characteristics of the optimized composite produced by the above technique satisfied the requirements for production of W-Cu composites having all the specifications given for these types of composites produced at higher temperatures than 1500°C.