Preparation and mechanical properties of refractory metal carbide reinforced tungsten-rhenium alloys

Metal carbide doped tungsten-rhenium alloys were prepared by a traditional pressure-free sintering method. The effects of various metal carbides on the microstructures and mechanical properties of tungsten-rhenium alloys were studied, and the corresponding strengthening mechanism was also analyzed. It is found that metal carbides can increase the density and reduce the grain size, so that the corresponding strength can be enhanced for the tungsten-rhenium alloys. Among three metal carbides, the titanium carbide presents the best strengthening effect. And the optimized sample (W-4 wt% Re-0.8wt %TiC) exhibits a density, hardness and tensile strength of 96.77%, 396.1 HV and 233 MPa at room temperature, respectively, which are increased by 4.25%, 21% and 65% compared to the WRe matrix. Moreover, the as-optimized sample also possesses a compressive strength of 585 MPa at 1200 ℃, which is 30% higher than that of the matrix.?