Mechanical Properties of Y₂O₃-doped W-Ti Alloys

W and W alloys are currently considered promising candidates for plasma facing components in future fusion reactors but most of the information on their mechanical properties at elevated temperature was obtained in the 1960s and 1970s. In this investigation, the strength and toughness of novel Y₂O₃-doped W-Ti alloys manufactured by powder metallurgy were measured from 25 ºC up to 1000 ºC in laboratory air and the corresponding deformation and failure micromechanisms were ascertained from analyses of the fracture surfaces. Although the materials were fairly brittle at ambient temperature, the strength and toughness increased with temperature and Ti content up to 600 ºC. Beyond this temperature, oxidation impaired the mechanical properties but the presence of Y₂O₃ enhanced the strength and toughness retention up to 800 ºC.This investigation was supported by the EURATOM/CIEMAT association through Contract WP08 09 MAT WWALLOY, by the Comunidad de Madrid (Programs ESTRUMAT CM S2009/MAT 1585 and S2009/ENE 1679) and by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (CSD00C 06 14102, MAT2009 13979 C03 02, MAT2007 29278 E).Publicad