Rapidly solidified high strength, ductile dispersion-hardened tungsten-rich alloys

Claim 2

A tungsten-rich alloy comprising a rapidly solidified, single phase, fine grain mixture of formula W.sub.100-P M.sub.X RE.sub.Y ME.sub.Z wherein: W is tungsten; M is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of transition elements; RE is an element selected from the group consisting of rare earth and actinide elements; Me is silicon, boron, germanium or aluminum; X is 0 to 25 weight percent; Y is 0 to 2 weight percent; Z is 0.1 to 3 weight percent; and P equals X+Y+Z where P≦26 weight percent; said alloy having improved ductility and hardness.

Claim 3

An alloy as claimed in claim 1 wherein M is rhenium or ruthenium, ME is silicon and Y is 0.

Claim 4

An alloy as claimed in claim 1 wherein ME is silicon and X and Y are 0.

Claim 5

An alloy as claimed in claim 2 which is W-10Re-0.3Si.

Claim 6

An alloy as claimed in claim 3 which is W-0.5Si.

Claim 7

A tungsten-rich alloy of formula W.sub.100-P ME.sub.Z wherein: W is tungsten; ME is germanium; Z is 0.1 to 3 weight percent; and P≦26 weight percent.

Claim 8

A tungsten-rich alloy of formula W.sub.100-P ME.sub.Z wherein: W is tungsten; ME is germanium; Z is 0.1 to 3 weight percent; and P≦26 weight percent.

Claim 9

An alloy as claimed in claim 6 which is W-1.0Ge.

Claim 10

A tungsten-rich alloy comprising a rapidly solidified, single phase, fine grain mixture of formula W.sub.100-P M.sub.X RE.sub.Y ME.sub.Z wherein: W is tungsten; M is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of transition elements; RE is an element selected from the group consisting of rare earth and actinide elements; ME is silicon, boron, germanium or aluminum; X is 0 to 25 weight percent; Y is 0 to 2 weight percent; Z is 0.1 to 3 weight percent; and P equals X+Y+Z where P≦26 weight percent; said alloy having ductility and hardness and having been prepared by a process comprising the steps of: (a) blending a mixture of the powdered, elemental components of the alloy; (b) compacting said blended mixture into a solid mass; (c) hot-consolidating said compacted solid mass; (d) melting said hot-consolidated mass; and (e) rapidly solidifying said molten mass at a cooling rate of at least 1,000° C./sec.

Claim 11

A tungsten-rich alloy comprising a rapidly solidified, single phase, fine grain mixture of formula W.sub.100-P M.sub.X RE.sub.Y ME.sub.Z wherein: W is tungsten; M is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of transition elements; RE is an element selected from the group consisting of rare earth and actinide elements; ME is silicon, boron, germanium or aluminum; X is 0 to 25 weight percent; Y is 0 to 2 weight percent; Z is 0.1 to 3 weight percent; and P equals X+Y+Z where P≦26 weight percent; said alloy having ductility and hardness and having been prepared by a process comprising the steps of: (a) blending a mixture of the powdered, elemental components of the alloy; (b) compacting said blended mixture into a solid mass; (c) hot-consolidating said compacted solid mass; (d) melting said hot-consolidated mass; and (e) rapidly solidifying said molten mass at a cooling rate of at least 1,000° C./sec.