Porous structure uniformity investigation of tungsten matrix prepared by jet milled and annealed tungsten powder

The correlation between tungsten powder properties and porosity characteristics of porous tungsten matrix have been investigated in this paper. With the deagglomeration and classification, monodisperse tungsten powders of different particle size with narrow particle size distribution have been obtained. Multi-step annealing operation with continuously increasing temperature was taken to reduce the particle activity, which are conductive to particle size homogenization, shape modification and purification simultaneously. The press-sintered porous tungsten matrix prepared by jet milled and annealed tungsten powder presents homogeneous inter-connected pores with uniform pore size and distribution, indicating that low-activity monodisperse powder with narrow particle size distribution is required for manufacturing homogeneous porous tungsten matrix. [Display omitted] •The correlation of powder properties and porosity characteristics have been investigated.•With the deagglomeration and classification, monodisperse powders were obtained.•Multi-step annealing operation were carried out to realize activity reduction.•Porous tungsten matrix with uniform size and distribution has been fabricated.