Elevated temperature mechanical and thermophysical properties of titanium carbide particle-reinforced tungsten composites

An investigation on the elevated temperature mechanical properties and thermophysical properties of 30 vol% titanium carbide particle-reinforced tungsten matrix (TiC_p/W) composites produced by a powder metallurgical technique shows that with increasing temperature, the strength of the TiC_p/W composites increases gradually and reaches a maximum value at 1000°C, which is much higher than that at room temperature. The elastic modulus decreases slightly with a rise of temperature from room temperature to 1200°C, and the linear expansion varies linearly with temperature. The elevated strength, density, modulus, and coefficient of thermal expansion of TiC_p/W composites makes them suitable for the manufacture of counterbalances in combustion motors for use at high temperature.