Processing, Microstructure, and Mechanical Behavior of Tungsten Heavy Alloys for Kinetic Energy Penetrators: A Critical Review
Tungsten heavy alloys (WHAs) are two-phase composites known for their exceptional density, strength, hardness, and ductility, making them ideal for radiation shielding, kinetic energy penetrators, and aerospace components. Due to their high melting point, WHAs are primarily processed via powder meta...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/9/6/186 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849432272530309120 |
|---|---|
| author | Rajneesh Patel Gangaraju Manogna Karthik Pawan Sharma |
| author_facet | Rajneesh Patel Gangaraju Manogna Karthik Pawan Sharma |
| author_sort | Rajneesh Patel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Tungsten heavy alloys (WHAs) are two-phase composites known for their exceptional density, strength, hardness, and ductility, making them ideal for radiation shielding, kinetic energy penetrators, and aerospace components. Due to their high melting point, WHAs are primarily processed via powder metallurgy, with liquid-phase sintering (LPS). Spark plasma sintering (SPS) and microwave sintering are emerging as advanced consolidation techniques. Recent research has focused on improving WHA performance through microstructural manipulation, alloying with elements like Fe, Co, Mo, and Re; rare earth oxides like Y<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, La<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, and Ce<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>; and employing high-entropy alloys (HEAs) as matrix phase. Additionally, additive manufacturing (AM) techniques are increasingly being used to fabricate complex WHA components. Despite their advantages, WHAs still exhibit limitations in penetration performance, primarily due to their tendency to form mushroom-like heads upon impact rather than self-sharpening. Ongoing research seeks to enhance shear localization, refine grain structure, and optimize processing methods to improve the mechanical properties and impact resistance of WHAs. Furthermore, modeling and simulation approaches are being explored to understand the mechanical behavior of WHAs. This review comprehensively overviews the above aspects and presents recent advances in WHA processing. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-06ef9dc9c2754e539160b0721d90d2da |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2504-4494 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing |
| spelling | doaj-art-06ef9dc9c2754e539160b0721d90d2da2025-08-20T03:27:25ZengMDPI AGJournal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing2504-44942025-06-019618610.3390/jmmp9060186Processing, Microstructure, and Mechanical Behavior of Tungsten Heavy Alloys for Kinetic Energy Penetrators: A Critical ReviewRajneesh Patel0Gangaraju Manogna Karthik1Pawan Sharma2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, IndiaTungsten heavy alloys (WHAs) are two-phase composites known for their exceptional density, strength, hardness, and ductility, making them ideal for radiation shielding, kinetic energy penetrators, and aerospace components. Due to their high melting point, WHAs are primarily processed via powder metallurgy, with liquid-phase sintering (LPS). Spark plasma sintering (SPS) and microwave sintering are emerging as advanced consolidation techniques. Recent research has focused on improving WHA performance through microstructural manipulation, alloying with elements like Fe, Co, Mo, and Re; rare earth oxides like Y<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, La<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, and Ce<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>; and employing high-entropy alloys (HEAs) as matrix phase. Additionally, additive manufacturing (AM) techniques are increasingly being used to fabricate complex WHA components. Despite their advantages, WHAs still exhibit limitations in penetration performance, primarily due to their tendency to form mushroom-like heads upon impact rather than self-sharpening. Ongoing research seeks to enhance shear localization, refine grain structure, and optimize processing methods to improve the mechanical properties and impact resistance of WHAs. Furthermore, modeling and simulation approaches are being explored to understand the mechanical behavior of WHAs. This review comprehensively overviews the above aspects and presents recent advances in WHA processing.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/9/6/186tungsten heavy alloysprocessingmicrostructuresdeformation behaviormechanical propertiesmodeling and simulations |
| spellingShingle | Rajneesh Patel Gangaraju Manogna Karthik Pawan Sharma Processing, Microstructure, and Mechanical Behavior of Tungsten Heavy Alloys for Kinetic Energy Penetrators: A Critical Review Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing tungsten heavy alloys processing microstructures deformation behavior mechanical properties modeling and simulations |
| title | Processing, Microstructure, and Mechanical Behavior of Tungsten Heavy Alloys for Kinetic Energy Penetrators: A Critical Review |
| title_full | Processing, Microstructure, and Mechanical Behavior of Tungsten Heavy Alloys for Kinetic Energy Penetrators: A Critical Review |
| title_fullStr | Processing, Microstructure, and Mechanical Behavior of Tungsten Heavy Alloys for Kinetic Energy Penetrators: A Critical Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Processing, Microstructure, and Mechanical Behavior of Tungsten Heavy Alloys for Kinetic Energy Penetrators: A Critical Review |
| title_short | Processing, Microstructure, and Mechanical Behavior of Tungsten Heavy Alloys for Kinetic Energy Penetrators: A Critical Review |
| title_sort | processing microstructure and mechanical behavior of tungsten heavy alloys for kinetic energy penetrators a critical review |
| topic | tungsten heavy alloys processing microstructures deformation behavior mechanical properties modeling and simulations |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/9/6/186 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rajneeshpatel processingmicrostructureandmechanicalbehavioroftungstenheavyalloysforkineticenergypenetratorsacriticalreview AT gangarajumanognakarthik processingmicrostructureandmechanicalbehavioroftungstenheavyalloysforkineticenergypenetratorsacriticalreview AT pawansharma processingmicrostructureandmechanicalbehavioroftungstenheavyalloysforkineticenergypenetratorsacriticalreview |