Liquid phase sintering of tungsten composites under microgravity : Influence of liquid/particle surface energy

• Tungsten-nickel-iron heavy metals are fabricated from powders by liquid phase sintering. A study of the sintering mechanism of heavy metals with a low amount of tungsten particles can, depending on sedimentation, only be done under microgravity. At two earlier Texus flights, No 10 & 19, the growth rate and agglomeration of tungsten particles under microgravity were compared to that under gravity and sedimentation. During the first minute sintering period the particles in the agglomerates were separated and the particle distribution became even. The particle growth rate under microgravity, initially high, is slowing down. At further studies under gravity the influence of surface energy between the liquid phase and the tungsten particles have been investigated. Additions of sulphur and cobolt were used to decrease the surface energy and the use of nickel without iron to increase the energy. At a high surface energy the growth rate increases due to increased driving force. Preliminary results from the Texus 26 flight (April 90) are included. © 1991.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering (hsv//eng)

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