Selective Laser Melting of Tungsten-Rhenium Alloys

Authors

Cayla C. Eckley, Air Force Institute of Technology
Ryan A. Kemnitz, Air Force Institute of TechnologyFollow
Christopher P. Fassio, Air Force Institute of Technology
Carl R. Hartsfield, Air Force Institute of TechnologyFollow
Todd A. Leonhardt, Rhenium Alloys, Inc.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2021

Abstract

Additively manufactured tungsten-rhenium alloys have been compared with pure tungsten in terms of their volumetric density, cracking behavior, microstructure, and hardness. The compositions W-5 wt.%Re and W-25 wt.%Re were explored. Increasing the rhenium content led to an increasing percentage of the theoretical density, with a maximum of 97.6% achieved with 25 wt.% Re. The characteristic cracking behavior of pure tungsten was greatly mitigated for the W-25%Re composition. Electron backscatter diffraction revealed the effect of rhenium in both reducing the average grain size and leading to a more equiaxed grain geometry. Postprocessing heat treatments were explored to heal remaining cracks in W-25%Re samples, producing a more recrystallized microstructure geometry and increasing the density to 98.8% of theoretical and the tensile strength to 659.8 MPa.

Comments

© 2021 The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.

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Full journal title: JOM, The Journal of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS)

DOI

10.1007/s11837-021-04776-x

Source Publication

JOM (ISSN: 1047-4838)

Recommended Citation

Eckley, C.C., Kemnitz, R.A., Fassio, C.P. et al. Selective Laser Melting of Tungsten-Rhenium Alloys. JOM 73, 3439–3450 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-021-04776-x