Properties of Lu₂O₃ doped tungsten and thermal shock performance

Pure tungsten and tungsten alloys with 1, 2, and 3 wt.% Lu₂O₃ were fabricated by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering at 1600 °C for 3 min. These samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, Vickers microhardness, thermal conductivity analyses, thermal shock test, and deuterium retention. Results revealed that the microhardnesses of the samples have a similar trend with the relative density. With increased the doped Lu₂O₃ content, the relative density and microhardness increased and the Lu₂O₃ particles significantly increased the density and strengthened of tungsten alloy. With increased temperature from 300-1100 K, the thermal conductivity decreased with increased Lu₂O₃ content. The doped Lu₂O₃ particles revealed good enhancement effect in the thermal shock resistance and a good influence in the deuterium retention.