INITIAL STUDY OF A NOVEL TUNGSTEN-35 AT MANGANESE ALLOY BY MECHANICAL ALLOYING TECHNIQUE

摘要

The effect of sintering temperature on the microstructure of a new tungsten-35 at % manganese alloy was investigated as an initial stage for developing new alloys for kinetic energy projectiles. The crystallography of as-sintered materials was studied by X-ray diffraction. The microstructural constituents were examined using SEM/EDS. The diffraction patterns for as-sintered alloys display strong tungsten peaks, as well as peaks attributed to manganese oxide. Backscattered images obtained by SEM and the corresponding spot analyses obtained by EDS confirmed the presence of manganese in the tungsten-rich phase with a content of 3.4, 3.7, and 3.6 at% after sintering for 1 hour at 1225°C, 1275°C, and 1350°C respectively. However, the solubility of manganese decreased to about 2.6 at% at 1425°C, which is attributed to the increased vaporization and oxidation of manganese. The results obtained in the current study indicate a limited solubility of manganese in tungsten.