Bulk Nanostructured Tungsten for Extreme Environments

Descripción del proyecto

Convertir el wolframio en un material más duro y resistente

El wolframio es excepcionalmente resistente: tiene el punto de fusión más alto de todos los metales. Este robusto elemento puede soportar entornos extremos, lo cual lo hace indispensable en aplicaciones de energía, aeroespacial y defensa. Sin embargo, su fragilidad limita su uso. Financiado por el Consejo Europeo de Investigación, el proyecto BulkNanoWe2 se basará en los avances del proyecto TOUGHIT, con el fin de acercar el tungsteno nanoestructurado al uso industrial. Mediante el uso de nanopolvos y sinterización por plasma de chispa, el proyecto creará piezas sólidas, con formas cercanas a las definitivas y microestructuras finamente adaptadas. Este método promete un material con más del doble de dureza y más de un 100 % más de resistencia que el tungsteno convencional, allanando el camino para aplicaciones más seguras, eficientes y sostenibles.

Objetivo

Tungsten possesses the highest melting point amongst metals and exhibits superior characteristics when sustaining extreme environments. Nevertheless, tungsten also has a severe limitation, it is intrinsically brittle and prone to cleavage failure. In our ERC Consolidator Grant TOUGHIT, we are developing strategies to overcome this brittleness while concurrently enhancing the material strength. This is accomplished by refining tungsten to a nanocrystalline state via extreme deformation and strengthening the weak interfaces through segregation-driven grain boundary engineering.

In the current Proof of Concept project BulkNanoWe2, we aim to transition this knowledge to industrial application. Our objective is to devise efficient manufacturing procedures to create near-net-shaped bulk parts. We employ spark plasma sintering, using electric heating and applied pressure, to facilitate swift sintering at lower temperatures. The pivotal role of a nanostructured material to ensure the desired properties is realized by commencing with nanopowders. These also aid synthesis by increasing sintering kinetics. Further, the nanopowders will undergo surface modification to retard grain growth and concurrently enhance mechanical properties.

Thereby, we chart a course toward creating near-net-shaped components featuring distinctly tailored nanoscale microstructure and modified interfaces. This innovative approach will provide a synergistic combination of desired attributes, including a remarkable strength surpassing conventional bulk tungsten by >100%. Simultaneously, the fracture toughness will at least double for a resource-efficient yet secure design paradigm. Attaining these highly desirable properties in an adapted industrial framework, we also contribute to tungsten sourcing challenges. Finally, we realize an environmentally conscientious and economically appealing exceptional material tailored to endure extreme environments.