Microstructure Characterization of Tungsten Based Alloys for Fusion Application

The microstructure of two tungsten based alloys (W-1.1%TiC and W-1.7% TiC) was characterized using light microscopy, analytical electron microscopy and electron tomography. These alloys represent a class of W based dispersion strengthened alloys with TiC used as strengthening particles. Addition of TiC leads to improved creep resistance and tensile strength of the W based alloys. The results show that the W-1.7%TiC alloy exhibits large scatter in grain size, much higher porosity and contains also Ti-O particles. The W-1.1%TiC alloy has fine grained microstructure with uniformly distributed fine TiC particles within the matrix and low porosity. As a result of the different microstructure, the W-1.1%TiC alloy exhibits better mechanical properties, when compared to the W-1.7%TiC alloy.