Dynamic Behavior of Tungsten-Rhenium Alloys

Three W-Re alloys having rhenium contents of 3 %, 5 % and 10 % were tested under dynamic compressive loading. The test method was the inverse Taylor test. The response of the material to impact loading was studied by means of strain measurements on the test specimen as well as free surface velocity measurements at its rear side by VISAR techniques. By both methods the dynamic yield strength was determined and compared to the value evaluated by the Taylor analysis. Up to a strain rate of 1500 l/s only little influence of this parameter on the yield strength was found for each alloy. Higher rates caused a remarkable strengthening of the alloys, e.g. the yield strength of W5Re at a rate of 3700 l/s exceeds the static tensile strength by 40 %. By means of SEM the fracture surface of specimens which failed at impact velocities beyond 200 m/s was examined. Failure by shear banding and forced rupture was detected