Innovative Methods for Bonding Large Scale Sections of Tungsten Alloys

This program proposes to implement fibrous monolith processing techniques for the manufacturing of large scale tungsten penetrators which incorporate orientation controlled long fiber tungsten filaments bonded with an interface consisting of metal orcarbide. It is anticipated that the use of properly controlled orientation of the cellular tungsten material will eliminate impact mushrooming effects and create an adiabatic shearing mechanism for enhanced penetration. High temperature and high pressureHot Isostatic Processing (HIP) will be used to consolidate actual components. In addition, technology developed and commercialized for fibrous monolith oil and gas drill tool bit inserts used for hard rock drilling will be incorporated into thisprogram.The development of this new fibrous monolith tungsten metal processing technology will allow for low cost production of large and complexed shaped tungsten components with enhanced properties for x-ray shielding and penetrators.