Phase transformations in reactive sintering of tungsten

Abstract

It has been demonstrated recently that tungsten (T _m = 3410±20°C) can be sintered by reactive sintering in a reductive atmosphere such as hydrogen. This alternative technique to the conventional sintering (T _s>2000°C) makes use of a small amount of aluminium addition which acts as a sintering aid and hence lowers the sintering temperature significantly (T _s1200°C). This study explores the phase transformations that take place during reactive sintering of tungsten in view of the mechanisms involved. DSC, SEM and TEM have been used for a fundamental understanding of this system.