Low Cost and Scalable Systems for Synthesizing Tungsten Nanopowders

This Phase II SBIR program will develop a domestic capability for the scalable production of nanocrystalline tungsten powders suitable for the production of tungsten penetrators. reducing tunsten grain size to the nanoscale changes the high strain rate deformation properties of tungsten metal to be more favorable for penetrating steel enablng low toxicity tungsten metal to be substituted for depeleted uranium without a performance degredation. A critical need in enablng the use of tungsen metal is to establsh a reliable domenstic source for the starting raw materials. This phase II program will mature fluidized bed fast-reduction process for producing nanotunsten powder by demonstrating product quality, consistency, and process scale-ability. The final objective of the program is to achieve a demostated processing capability suitable for 1 ton/month pilot production of nanotungsten powder.