Microwave synthesis and mechanical characterization of functionally graded material for applications in fusion devices

Functionally graded tungsten–copper bimetallic compact with fine microstructure and good mechanical property has been synthesized by employing microwave heating method at a temperature of 800 °C and in a short processing time of 30 min. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis revealed the graded structure of synthesized sample. The fine microstructure of tungsten in each layer is caused by arrested grain growth because of the short sintering time. The overall relative density of the W/Cu functionally graded sample has reached 87% of the theoretical density. Vickers microhardness measurements, across the length of a compact, show increase in hardness value of the sample with the increase in tungsten content. The experimental hardness values match well with the theoretically calculated hardness values.