High-temperature strength of refractory-metal wires and consideration for composite applications

Tensile and stress-rupture tests were conducted on wires of W-Hf-C, W-Re-Hf-C, ASTAR 811C (a tantalum alloy), and B-88 (a columbium alloy) at room temperature, 1093 C (2000 F), and 1204 C (2200 F). Metallographic examinations were also made of the wire microstructure after testing. Ultimate tensile strength values up to 2170 meganewtons per square meter (314000 psi) at 1093 C (2000 F) and 1940 meganewtons per square meter (281 000 psi) at 1204 C (2200 F) were obtained for W-Re-Hf-C wire. The best strength values obtained for a 100-hour rupture life were, 1410 meganewtons per square meter (205 000 psi) at 1093 C (2000 F) and 910 meganewtons per square meter (132 000 psi) at 1240 C (2200 F) for W-Re-Hf-C wire. The properties obtained suggested that the wires studied showed promise as potential fiber reinforcement in the 1093 to 1204 C (2000 to 2200 F) temperature range.