Tungsten heavy alloys are considered as two phase composites with 88 to 97 wt% tungsten interspersed in a matrix of relatively low melting elements such as nickel, iron and cobalt. The mechanical properties of these alloys are greatly influenced by the microstructural features such as tungsten grain size, tungsten-tungsten contiguity and matrix volume fraction. Oxide dispersion strengthening (ODS), refinement of tungsten grain size, cyclic heat treatment, addition of alloying elements like Cr, Mo, and Co are some of the methods investigated to improve the microstructural features and thereby the mechanical properties of tungsten heavy alloys. Among these methods ODS has been considered as a promising processing technique since the tungsten grain size observed in ODS alloys is finer compared to the conventional alloys and more importantly the dynamic fracture mode changes from adiabatic shear band to brittle fracture. The present study is mainly focused on investigating the effect of 0.3 wt% yttrium oxide (Y 2 O 3 ) dispersion on the microstructure and consequently the tensile properties of 90W-6Ni-2Fe-2Co alloy. With 0.3 wt%Y 2 O 3, the ODS alloy (89.7W-6Ni-2Fe-2Co-0.3Y 2 O 3 ) is processed by two-stage sintering with subsequent thermo-mechanical treatment which includes vacuum heat treatment and swaging. ODS alloy and the conventional alloy (without oxides) are compared based on the microstructures and tensile properties obtained after liquid phase sintering and after final processing.

WNiCo alloys subjected to a two-stage or cyclic heat treatment develop a unique microstructure wherein apart from tungsten grains and matrix phase, fine tungsten precipitates are distributed in the matrix. This is unlike conventional heavy alloys such as WNiFe and WNiFeCo where the matrix is single phase without any secondary microstructural features. The purpose of developing a two-phase matrix is to realise superior mechanical properties compared to conventional alloys, especially strength with comparable or superior elongation and impact toughness. This advantage has rendered WNiCo alloys (with two-phase matrix) suitable candidates for advanced kinetic energy penetrators. The present study focusses on processing 92W-5Ni-3Co alloy using cyclic heat treatment and optimisation of parameters involved in cyclic heat treatment as well as subsequent vacuum heat treatment. Any refinement in processing parameters will help in improving the mechanical properties given the fact that processing parameters, microstructural features and mechanical properties are strongly interdependent in the case of tungsten heavy alloys.

Tungsten heavy alloys are high density alloys containing 80 to 98 wt.% tungsten and the balance is a matrix made of relatively low melting elements such as copper, nickel and iron. These alloys are used as radiation shields, CG adjusters and also in armour piercing ammunition. Machining these alloys to close tolerances and finish leads to excessive tool wear, surface damage and hence proves to be a challenging task. This study focuses on turning operation carried out under dry and wet cutting conditions using three different commercially available cemented carbide inserts. Three different feed rates have been used at a constant depth of cut and cutting speed. The best possible cemented carbide tooling solution for machining tungsten heavy alloys has been determined based on the surface finish obtained, chip geometry, cutting forces, and machining temperature. The observations made during machining are correlated to the tribological behavior of the inserts and the alloy with the help of pin-on disc tests. Coated cemented carbide inserts provide surface roughness values lower than 1 µm under finish turning conditions. On the other hand, PVD coated inserts give consistently better results over different feed rates and are found to experience lower tool wear for the specific cutting conditions. Analytical tool wear model suggests better tool life for the PVD coated insert.