Wensheng Liu

An improved two-stage sintering method for tungsten heavy alloys: conventional solid-phase sintering followed by microwave heating

Abstract 93W-4.9Ni-2.1Fe (wt.%) alloys were fabricated by means of conventional two-stage sintering, direct microwave sintering and improved two-stage sintering. A more homogeneous microstructure was found in both the direct microwave sintered alloy and the improved two-stage sintered alloy. Numerous pores were present in the direct microwave sintered alloy, but few could be seen in the improved two-stage sintered alloy. The mechanical properties of the improved two-stage sintered alloy were greatly enhanced as compared to those of the direct microwave sintered alloy. These findings suggested that the improved two-stage sintering had little negative effect on absorbing microwaves and could reduce pore defects, which implied a promising sintering process for tungsten heavy alloys and others with liquid stage sintering.