2023 article
Microstructure and Elevated Temperature Flexure Testing of Tungsten Produced by Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing
Zhang, H., Carriere, P. R., Amoako, E. D., Rock, C. D., Thielk, S. U., Fletcher, C. G., & Horn, T. J. (2023, August 30). JOM.
open access via link.springer.com (publisher PDF)
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
(Web of Science)
Source: Web Of Science
Added: October 23, 2023
AbstractDue to their superior high-temperature thermomechanical capabilities, sputter erosion durability, and excellent resistance to hydrogen isotopes, tungsten materials have garnered significant interest in fusion nuclear applications. However, low room-temperature ductility and complex machining strategies present significant challenges for traditional fabrication. Electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF) shows promise in manufacturing pure tungsten via high thermal energy input, elevated build temperature, and a tightly controlled high-vacuum environment. This work explores the process, structure, and property relationship of pure tungsten fabricated by EB-PBF, where 99.8% relative density was achieved with reduced cracking by isolating the build substrate and optimizing the print parameter suite. Optical and electron imaging revealed that the microstructure contained equiaxed grains along the build direction, with subgrains present in all inspected grains. Flexural testing at ambient and elevated temperatures demonstrated high ductility at 900°C and flexural strength of 470 MPa at room temperature of additively manufactured tungsten.