High-temperature embrittlement of tungsten

Mechanical properties and thermal stability of rolled W-0.5wt% TiC alloys

“…However, the inherent disadvantages of pure tungsten materials including low fracture toughness, high ductile-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) of about 800°C [4] and poor low-temperature machinability, which is directly correlated to the material's low ductility and low grain boundary strength, cannot be ignored for fusion reactor applications [5]. In addition, the high service temperatures ( $1200°C) can alter the microstructure of pure tungsten by recovery, recrystallization and grain growth [6], which would degrade the mechanical strength and aggravate embrittlement [7][8][9][10]. Therefore, W alloys with steady thermal and mechanical properties are highly desirable for high-temperature applications.…”

Recrystallization kinetics of warm-rolled tungsten in the temperature range 1150–1350 °C

“…This causes degradation of the excellent material properties as a loss in mechanical strength [5] and embrittlement due to increased grain sizes and local internal stress at grain boundaries [6,7]. Other detrimental effects include a decrease in fracture toughness [8,9] and an increase in the ductile-to-brittle-transitiontemperature (DBTT) [8,10].…”

Hardness loss and microstructure evolution of 90% hot-rolled pure tungsten at 1200–1350 °C

“…Recovery, recrystallization and grain coarsening will occur in plastically deformed tungsten at high temperature. This will result in a loss of good properties (i.e., mechanical strength) and embrittlement [10,11].…”