Underwater explosive compaction-sintering of tungsten–copper coating on a copper surface

ABSTRACT

This study investigated underwater explosive compaction-sintering for coating a high-density tungsten–copper composite on a copper surface. First, 50% W–50% Cu tungsten–copper composite powder was prepared by mechanical alloying. The composite powder was pre-compacted and sintered by hydrogen. Underwater explosive compaction was carried out. Finally, a high-density tungsten–copper coating was obtained by diffusion sintering of the specimen after explosive compaction. A simulation of the underwater explosive compaction process showed that the peak value of the pressure in the coating was between 3.0 and 4.8 GPa. The hardness values of the tungsten–copper layer and the copper substrate were in the range of 87–133 and 49 HV, respectively. The bonding strength between the coating and the substrate was approximately 100–105 MPa.

KEYWORDS:

• Tungsten–copper composite
• underwater explosive compaction-sintering
• bonding strength
• copper matrix composite

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation of China  (Nos. 11272081, 11672067, and 11672068).