Enhanced mechanical and arc erosion resistant properties by homogenously precipitated nanocrystalline fcc-Nb in the hierarchical W-Nb-Cu composite

To achieve a combined enhancement of mechanical properties with improved arc erosion resistance, a novel strategy of two-step ball-milling and hot-press sintering under hydrogen for fabricating hierarchical W-Nb-Cu composite reinforced with in-situ nanocrystalline fcc-Nb was advocated. Characteristics including phase constituents, microstructure, mechanical properties and arc erosion behavior of the W-3 wt.%Nb-30 wt.%Cu composite have been...