Fabrication of tungsten-copper composites by hot-shock consolidation

In this work a novel approach for producing tungsten-copper composites has been investigated. This approach combines high temperature preheating technique and underwater shock consolidation. By combining these two processes W-Cu composites with mass ratio of 9:1 were produced. The powders were first blended by mechanically alloying by a planetary ball mill. Prior to application of shock wave, the elemental powders were preheated to different temperatures, with the highest temperature up to 1000°C, by heat released from a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis reaction. A water column was used to prolong the duration of shock pulse and to uniformize the distribution of shock pressure, which is of benefit to reduce the cracks in sample induced by shock wave. The results showed that a fine-grained 90W/10Cu composite with no cracks could be obtained by hot-shock consolidation at a preheating temperature of 1000°C. The consolidated specimens were then characterized by SEM analysis, X-ray diffraction and micro-hardness testing. The relative density and hardness of the recovered sample are 97%T.D. and 493.5 HV, respectively.