The Role of Grain Boundary Diffusion in the Activated Sintering of Tungsten Powder
The mechanism of activated sintering of tungsten powder was discussed in terms of diffusion and segregation of activator atoms at W grain boundaries. Shrinkage behaviours of W-0.2wt.% Ni, W-0.2wt.% Cu or pure W powder compacts during sintering at low temperatures of 900~ were investigated. It was found that the Cu additive inhibits sintering process causing lower densification than pure W compact while remarkable shrinkage occurred in the Ni added W powder. Such contrary effect was explained by comparing self diffusion processes along Ni or Cu segregated W boundaries in which Ni segregants enhance but Cu atoms retard the migration of W atoms at W boundaries.