Fabrication and characterization of nano-Y2O3, Al2O3, La2O3 dispersed mechanically alloyed and liquid phase sintered WNi for structural application

The investigation involves the fabrication of various nano oxide (Y2O3, Al2O3, La2O3) dispersed WNi alloys by mechanical alloying for 10 h and sintering in Ar atmosphere at 1400 °C, 1500 °C for 2 h. The selected composition for the study is W89Ni10(Y2O3)1 (alloy A), W89Ni10(Al2O3)1 (alloy B) and W89Ni10(La2O3)1 (alloy C) (in weight%). Alloy A exhibit least crystallite size and maximum lattice strain at 10 h of milling. The lattice parameter of W exhibits expansion and contraction behavior during the milling. Microstructure of sintered alloys reveals the presence of both faceted and nearly spherical shaped grains. Bimodal grain size distribution is higher in alloy A at 1500 °C as compared to other alloys and 1400 °C sintering temperature. Texture study and Young's Modulus value reveals that hardness of alloy A is higher against alloy B and alloy C. Maximum % relative sintered density, mean hardness, compressive strength of 89%, 5.53 GPa, 2.25 GPa respectively has been achieved in alloy A at 1500 °C. [Display omitted] •Nano Y2O3, Al2O3, La2O3 dispersed W alloys are developed by mechanical alloying and conventional pressureless sintering.•Lattice fringes in TEM study shows that oxide particles are incoherent with the matrix phase.•Enhanced grain bimodality is evident in W-Ni-Y2O3 alloy at 1500 °C sintering temperature.•Superior densification, hardness, strength is achieved in W-Ni-Y2O3 alloy at 1500 °C.