Test temperature and strain rate effects on the properties of a tungsten heavy alloy

Abstract

Liquid phase sintered tungsten heavy alloy specimens with a 90W-7Ni-3Fe composition were tested for temperature and strain rate effects on mechanical behavior. Both fracture stress and strain were measured for samples tested at 20, 300, or 600 °C, with crosshead speeds ranging from 0.004 to 400 mmJs in an argon atmosphere. Fracture surface examinations showed a dramatic increase in tungsten cleavage as the ductility increased. The effect of an increasing strain rate is a slight strength increase with a concomitant ductility decrease. Alternatively, higher test temperatures degrade strength with a nonsystematic effect on ductility; maximum ductility occurs at 300 °C and a slow strain rate. Surface oxidation at 600 °C greatly degrades ductility. The results are mathematically modeled using classic strain rate dependent equations.