Effect of processing parameters on microstructure and properties of tungsten heavy alloys fabricated by SLM

Selective laser melting (SLM) was used to fabricate tungsten heavy alloy (WHA) with a nominal composition of W-7Ni-3Fe (wt%). Depending on the processing parameters (laser power, scanning speed, preheating, etc.), three different bonding mechanisms were observed, i.e., liquid phase sintering, partial melting and complete melting. The difference in applied energy density also reflected in a variation of the final composition, amount of W dendrites in gamma-phase and the W grain contiguity. High density materials (> 95%TD) were produced under optimal processing conditions. The effect of the as-built microstructure and post-process heat-treatment on the properties of WHA processed by SLM was evaluated. In the as-built condition, the WHA exhibited an UTS of 871 +/- 30 MPa with a brittle fracture behaviour regardless of the applied processing parameters. With a suitable post-process heat-treatment, a material with a more optimal microstructure was obtained, with properties comparable to those of WHAs produced by conventional powder metallurgy (UTS of 850 +/- 21 MPa with an elongation of 10.2 +/- 1.0%).