Investigation of physical properties of tungsten-based single crystals using an ultrasonic method

Abstract

Using an ultrasonic method, the measurement of longitudinal and transversal velocities v of ultrasonic waves in the major crystallographic directions of pure-tungsten single crystals and tungsten single crystals alloyed with Ta and Mo was performed. Single crystals with a [110] crystallographic orientation were prepared by plasma-arc melting. Crystal density was also measured. Crystal elastic constants Cij, anisotropy factors A, Young’s modulus E, shear modulus G and bulk modulus B for the given crystallographic directions, and the mean values of the longitudinal and transversal velocities of the ultrasound according to the Fochtu-Roisu-Chilly method, Young’s modulus, shear modulus, Poisson’s ratio and Debye temperature were calculated from the obtained data. The measurement of ultrasound rates was realized by means of a pulse apparatus with a frequency of 10 MHz to 30 MHz. It was found that the alloying of pure tungsten with the elements such as tantalum and molybdenum led to a decrease in the average magnitudes of v, Cij, and B over various crystallographic and polarization directions, as well as the magnitude of . The effects of the alloying elements on the elastic properties of tungsten crystals were identical. It may be concluded on the basis of the obtained results that the ultrasonic method can be used for the quality control of the purity of tungsten single crystals and tungsten low-alloyed alloys by measuring the attenuation effects of ultrasound waves in various parts of the tested samples.