The W-Zn-Co-Y2O3 alloys synthesized by a secondary ball milling method and their effects on adhesion performance of single lap joints of aluminum composites

Abstract

W-Zn-Co-Y2O3 tungsten heavy alloys were produced using a two-step mechanical milling method. In the first step, Zn-Co raw materials were milled for 24 h. Then, in the second stage, the Zn-Co compounds obtained were mechanically milled with tungsten (W) and yttrium(III) oxide (Y2O3). This study compared the new W-Zn-Co-Y2O3 alloy, obtained through two-stage mechanical alloying, with the same alloy produced using classical mechanical milling. The aim was to investigate and compare their structural, morphological, and mechanical properties. Yttrium oxide was used to promote the formation of in-situ oxide dispersoids during mechanical alloying. Oxide dispersion-strengthened tungsten heavy alloys are known for their exceptional mechanical properties, making them suitable for various high-temperature applications. The structures were analyzed using XRD, crystallite size, TEM, SEM, and EDX techniques. The microstrain of the final alloys was calculated as 15.79 × 10−3 and 13.12 × 10−3 for the classically obtained alloy and secondary milled alloys after 24 h of milling, respectively. Additionally, the reinforcing effects of the produced alloy on single-lap joints of aluminum composites were investigated. The results demonstrated that the tungsten alloy produced using the secondary ball method exhibited better mechanical performance.