Effect of TaC Content on Microstructure and Properties of W-TaC Composites

Transition metal carbide reinforcement can improve the performance of pure W. W-(10–50) vol% TaC composites were prepared by spark plasma sintering at 2100 °C. The effect of TaC content on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and thermal conductivity of the composites was studied. The ablation resistance of the W-TaC composites was evaluated under an air plasma torch. The addition of TaC into the W matrix enhanced the densification of W-TaC composites, the density of W-40 vol% TaC composite exceeded 93%. TaC particles inhibited the growth of W grains during sintering. Reactive diffusion occurred between W and TaC, forming the solid solutions of (W,Ta)(ss) and (Ta,W)C(ss). W and TaC react to form the W(2)C phase at a TaC content of 50 vol%. The Vickers hardness of the composite increases from 3.06 GPa for WTA1 to 10.43 GPa for WTA5. The flexural strength reached 528 MPa in the W-40 vol% TaC composite. The thermal conductivity of W-20 vol% TaC composite was 51.2 ± 0.2 W·m(−1)·K(−1) at 750 °C. The addition of TaC improved the ablation resistance of W-TaC composites. The mass ablation rate of W-30 vol% TaC composite was 0.0678 g·s(−1). The ablation products were mainly W oxides and complex oxides of W-Ta-O.