Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Tungsten Fiber-Reinforced Composites Fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering

Hong Huiseong; Kenjiro Sugio; Gen Sasaki

doi:10.4028/p-KTF1zJ

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Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Tungsten Fiber-Reinforced Composites Fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering
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HomeMaterials Science ForumMaterials Science Forum Vol. 1196Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of...

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Tungsten Fiber-Reinforced Composites Fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering

Abstract:

Tungsten has attracted considerable attention as a candidate material for plasma-facing components in future fusion reactors due to its superior high-temperature strength and plasma erosion resistance. However, its inherent brittleness and crack formation under operating conditions remain critical issues, often leading to premature failure and limiting its lifetime. In this study, tungsten matrix composites reinforced with both short and long tungsten fibers were fabricated using spark plasma sintering (SPS) to improve fracture toughness and mechanical stability. The relative densities of bulk tungsten sintered at 1300 °C was measured to be 93.2 %, demonstrating that sintering temperature plays a significant role in densification. Additionally, fiber-reinforced composites exhibited relative densities of 90.5 % (short fiber) and 85.1% (long fiber). Microstructural observations using optical microscopy revealed that higher sintering temperatures reduced both the number and size of open pores, contributing to enhanced mechanical properties. Vickers hardness testing confirmed this trend, with bulk tungsten sintered at 1300°C achieving the highest hardness of 538 Hv. Furthermore, long fiber-reinforced composites exhibited a higher hardness of 543 Hv compared to short fiber composites, which recorded below 200 Hv. This difference is attributed to the aligned fiber structure in the long fiber composites, which promotes a more stable matrix-particle bonding compared to the random distribution in short fiber composites. These findings show that it is essential for optimizing the manufacturing process of tungsten fiber reinforced composites and securing productivity.