Oxidation Behavior of Ta-W Alloy

Abstract

The oxidation behaviors of tantalum-tungsten alloy with 10-20% W was investigated between temperature range of 700 to 900 °C exposed in air. The kinetics of Ta-W alloy was determined by TG-DTA, the characteristics of oxides were analyzed by SEM, EDS and XRD. The oxidation tests revealed that the alloys obeyed parabolic kinetic in the initial stage, then translated in linear law. The addition of W has a good effect on the oxidation resistance of Ta-W alloys at experimental temperature. Solid solution of Ta2O5 form in case of oxidation product of Ta-10W, Ta-15W alloys, while the complex oxide Ta22W4O67 form after Ta-20W alloy oxidized. The formation of solid solution and complex oxide impeded the volatilization. The compact oxide film protects the penetration of oxygen in the initial oxidation stage. The large compressive stresses and mismatch of the coefficient of thermal expansion between oxide scale and matrix alloys make the oxides layer be broken, which cause kinetic of oxidization obeying linear law.