Fiscal Year:
1995
Title:
Low Cost Method for Synthesis of [100]-W Reinforced Heavy Alloys for Kinetic Energy Penetrators
Agency / Branch:
DOD / ARMY
Contract:
N/A
Award Amount:
$600,000.00
Abstract:
Single crystals of tungsten (W) with [100] orientation have been demonstrated to exhibit ballistically equivalent performance to depleated uranium (DU) projectiles. Single crystals of W are unfortunately brittle. Also, the state-of-the-art crystal growing techniques limits the diameter of such crystals to less than 10mm. Hence, it is proposed to fabricate tungsten heavy alloy (WHA) projectiles consisting of [100] oriented whiskers/fibers held in a Ni-Fe type matrix. This proposal will address the problems of growing {100] W whiskers/fibers in a heavy alloy matrix. The whiskers/fibers will be grown by the proven VLS process in which MER has considerable expertise (prior experience in growth of SiC and TiB2 whiskers) using a [100] W single crystal substrate, a mixture of WCl6 and H2 as the reactant gases and a Ni-based catalyst (Ni-Fe, Ni-Co, Ni-Cu). The whiskers/fibers will be harvested, cold-pressed and infiltrated in-situ by the catalyst (by varying temperature and atmosphere to promote wetting). This will demonstrate processing that can produce projectiles (>10mm in diameter) for ballistic evaluation. A test scale WHA composite synthesized through the above process will be delivered to the program technical monitor.
Principal Investigator:
Dr. S. Guha
6025741980
Business Contact:
Small Business Information at Submission:
Materials & Electrochemical
7960 S. Kolb Rd. Tucson, AZ 85706
EIN/Tax ID:
DUNS:
N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned:
No
Minority-Owned:
No
HUBZone-Owned:
No