Properties of Lu2O3 doped tungsten and thermal shock performance

Pure tungsten and tungsten alloys with 1, 2, and 3 wt% Lu2O3 were fabricated by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering at 1600 degrees C for 3 min. These samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, Vickers microhardness, thermal conductivity analyses, thermal shock test, and deuterium retention. Results revealed that the microhardnesses of the samples have a similar trend with the relative density. With increased the doped Lu2O3 content, the relative density and microhardness increased and the Lu2O3 particles significantly increased the density and strengthened of tungsten alloy. With increased temperature from 300-1100 K, the thermal conductivity decreased with increased Lu2O3 content. The doped Lu2O3 particles revealed good enhancement effect in the thermal shock resistance and a good influence in the deuterium retention. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.