Effects of La<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> Addition on the Microstructure and Properties of Activated Sintered W-Ni Compacts

Abstract

In order to improve the properties of Ni activated sintered W compacts, La2O3 was added to a W-1 wt.% Ni matrix alloy. W-1 wt.% Ni-0.5 wt.% La2O3 and W-1 wt.% Ni-1 wt.% La2O3 composites were fabricated by mechanical alloying and activated sintering methods. The effects of La2O3 content and mechanical alloying duration on the microstructural and physical properties of activated sintered W-Ni compacts were investigated. The results showed that La2O3 particles have a significant effect on the density/microhardness values and wear amounts of the samples. The relative density value of 96.39 % and microhardness value of 4.08±0.28 GPa of W-1 wt.% Ni samples increased to respectively 98.09 % and 5.45±0.29 GPa with the addition of 1 wt.% La2O3. Wear rate of 3.26±0.81 (mm3N-1m-1)x10-9 of the W-1 wt% Ni samples decreased to 2.10±0.24 (mm3N-1m-1)x10-9 with the addition of 0.5 wt.% La2O3. Furthermore, grain sizes decreased and microhardness values increased with increasing mechanical alloying duration.