Abstract

Different precursors of refractory nanostructural tungsten-silver (W-Ag) composites were consolidated into cylindrical billets by hot
explosive consolidation (HEC) method. Different types of compositions with a nanoscale W phase (100 nm) and coarse matrix phase of Ag
were consolidated to near theoretical density under and above of melting point of silver (940 – 1050°C). The intensity of loading in all
experiments was around 10GPa. The combination of high temperatures and two stage explosive densification processes was found to be
beneficial to the consolidation of the nanostructural W based composites, resulting in high densities, good integrity, and good electronic
properties. The structure and property of the samples depends on the value of consolidation temperature and dimension of consolidated
particle. It was observed that for the W-Ag based composites, application of high temperature and consolidation of precursors near melting
point of silver 940 °C gives samples without cracking with high value of density and uniform distribution of two phases. The features of
structure/property relationship depending on phase content and consolidation conditions have been discussed.

Key words: tungsten-silver composites, nanostructure, hot explosive consolidation, coefficient of thermal extension.