Advanced Processing and Machining of Tungsten and Its Alloys

Tungsten is a refractory metal with the highest melting temperature and density of all metals in this group. These properties, together with the high thermal conductivity and strength, make tungsten the ideal material for high-temperature structural use in fusion energy and other applications. It is...

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Main Authors: Samuel Omole, Alexander Lunt, Simon Kirk, Alborz Shokrani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-01-01
Series:Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/6/1/15
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author Samuel Omole
Alexander Lunt
Simon Kirk
Alborz Shokrani
author_facet Samuel Omole
Alexander Lunt
Simon Kirk
Alborz Shokrani
author_sort Samuel Omole
collection DOAJ
description Tungsten is a refractory metal with the highest melting temperature and density of all metals in this group. These properties, together with the high thermal conductivity and strength, make tungsten the ideal material for high-temperature structural use in fusion energy and other applications. It is widely agreed that the manufacture of components with complex geometries is crucial for scaling and optimizing power plant designs. However, there are challenges associated with the large-scale processing and manufacturing of parts made from tungsten and its alloys which limit the production of these complex geometries. These challenges stem from the high ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT), as well as the strength and hardness of these parts. Processing methods, such as powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing, can generate near-net-shaped components. However, subtractive post-processing techniques are required to complement these methods. This paper provides an in-depth exploration and discussion of different processing and manufacturing methods for tungsten and identifies the challenges and gaps associated with each approach. It includes conventional and unconventional machining processes, as well as research on improving the ductility of tungsten using various methods, such as alloying, thermomechanical treatment, and grain structure refinement.
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spelling doaj.art-50809a204e9843d0a837af1ed53d30932023-11-23T20:33:43ZengMDPI AGJournal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing2504-44942022-01-01611510.3390/jmmp6010015Advanced Processing and Machining of Tungsten and Its AlloysSamuel Omole0Alexander Lunt1Simon Kirk2Alborz Shokrani3Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UKDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UKCulham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE), Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3DB, UKDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UKTungsten is a refractory metal with the highest melting temperature and density of all metals in this group. These properties, together with the high thermal conductivity and strength, make tungsten the ideal material for high-temperature structural use in fusion energy and other applications. It is widely agreed that the manufacture of components with complex geometries is crucial for scaling and optimizing power plant designs. However, there are challenges associated with the large-scale processing and manufacturing of parts made from tungsten and its alloys which limit the production of these complex geometries. These challenges stem from the high ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT), as well as the strength and hardness of these parts. Processing methods, such as powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing, can generate near-net-shaped components. However, subtractive post-processing techniques are required to complement these methods. This paper provides an in-depth exploration and discussion of different processing and manufacturing methods for tungsten and identifies the challenges and gaps associated with each approach. It includes conventional and unconventional machining processes, as well as research on improving the ductility of tungsten using various methods, such as alloying, thermomechanical treatment, and grain structure refinement.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/6/1/15tungstenductilitymicrostructurepowder metallurgyadditive manufacturingmachining
spellingShingle Samuel Omole
Alexander Lunt
Simon Kirk
Alborz Shokrani
Advanced Processing and Machining of Tungsten and Its Alloys
Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing
tungsten
ductility
microstructure
powder metallurgy
additive manufacturing
machining
title Advanced Processing and Machining of Tungsten and Its Alloys
title_full Advanced Processing and Machining of Tungsten and Its Alloys
title_fullStr Advanced Processing and Machining of Tungsten and Its Alloys
title_full_unstemmed Advanced Processing and Machining of Tungsten and Its Alloys
title_short Advanced Processing and Machining of Tungsten and Its Alloys
title_sort advanced processing and machining of tungsten and its alloys
topic tungsten
ductility
microstructure
powder metallurgy
additive manufacturing
machining
url https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/6/1/15
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AT alexanderlunt advancedprocessingandmachiningoftungstenanditsalloys
AT simonkirk advancedprocessingandmachiningoftungstenanditsalloys
AT alborzshokrani advancedprocessingandmachiningoftungstenanditsalloys