Thermal stability of nanoscale oxides and carbides of W and Zr in Cu-Al-Fe alloy

Purpose: of this paper is to discover phases evolution of nanoscale tungsten, zirconium oxides and carbides during heating up to 1200°C in contact with the copper alloy CuAl8Fe3. Design/methodology/approach: The main investigation methods are X-ray phase analysis and thermal analysis. The X-ray phase analysis is done by automated X-ray diffractometer DRON-3.0 with cobalt anode, the thermal analysis is done with synchronous thermal analyser STA 449F1 Jupiter (NETZSCH). Findings: The initial interactions’ temperatures for the carbides and oxides with copper alloy CuAl8Fe3, also temperatures of isomorphic and polymorphic transitions are discovered. Comparative thermal analysis of the nanoscale powders reveals carbides are more stable in air and inert gas (argon) versus oxides ones. Research limitations/implications: Intermediate phase transitions during heating and cooling are predicted on the base of known thermodynamic data and scientific reports, X-ray phase analysis is performed only for initial and result material before and after heat treatment. Practical implications: Obtained data allows developing effective technological consolidation regimes of ESD nanoscale zirconium, tungsten carbides and oxides with cuprum-based alloys for wear and heat resistant composite materials production. Originality/value: The paper exposes new thermal data of isomorphic and polymorphic transformations for zirconium, tungsten carbides and oxides nanoscale powders obtained by ESD and their interactions with copper CuAl8Fe3 alloy in temperature range: 25-1200°C.