Structure and Phase Composition of WNb Alloy Formed by the Impact of Compression Plasma Flows

Abstract

The results of a tungsten–niobium alloy synthesis by the impact of pulsed compression plasma flows are presented. Tungsten plates with a 2 µm thin niobium coating were treated with dense compression plasma flows generated by a quasi-stationary plasma accelerator. The plasma flow with an absorbed energy density of 35–70 J/cm2 and pulse duration of 100 µs melted the niobium coating and a part of the tungsten substrate, which caused liquid-phase mixing and WNb alloy synthesis. Simulation of the temperature distribution in the top layer of the tungsten after the plasma treatment proved the formation of the melted state. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to determine the structure and phase composition. The thickness of the WNb alloy was 10–20 µm and a W(Nb) bcc solid solution was found.