Microstructure and mechanical properties of a newly developed WTaRe refractory alloy by selective electron beam melting

A WTaRe refractory alloy with homogeneous composition, a single phase and favorable mechanical properties was formed using selective electron beam melting (SEBM). Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction results show that the as-deposited WTaRe alloy exhibits slight anisotropy in the distribution of its composition and X-ray diffraction analysis indicates a single-phase body-centered cubic (BCC) structure. Similar to the composition distribution, the microstructure, microhardness, compressive strength and length reduction before fracture exhibit directional preference. There was a preferred orientation of {100} < 001 > along the build direction. Grain diameters of the XOY and XOZ sections of the as-deposited WTaRe alloy were 29.5 µm and 30.9 µm, respectively. The microhardness values of the XOY and XOZ sections were 560 ± 25 HV and 668 ± 8 HV, respectively. Compression testing showed that the ultimate compressive strengths was 1571 ± 116 MPa parallel to the build direction and 1762 ± 40 MPa normal to the build direction.