New-generation structural materials with superior properties are a constant demand in applications involving extreme environments. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of a high-strength, high-dense W-TaC-Ta₂O₅ nanocomposite for such applications on a large scale by a simple, cost-effective, scalable, bottom-up powder metallurgy approach using plasma sintering. The first clear microstructural evidence of the scavenging effect of carbide particles in the W-MC composites (M = Ta, Zr, Hf, Ti) is demonstrated through atom probe studies. Localized plastic deformation and the unique stress-induced amorphization in tungsten are observed due to dislocation activities, and these phenomena are corroborated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Optimized composition and processing conditions yield high Vickers hardness ~540 HV₁₀ and super-high transverse rupture strength (TRS) ~ 1650 MPa, in upscaled components of 100 mm diameter. The enhanced mechanical properties are attributed to the cumulative effect of the grain boundary strengthening and dispersion strengthening from the refined tungsten grains and the second phase intragranular nanocrystalline particles, respectively, the coherent particle-matrix interfaces, the low oxygen-segregation at grain boundaries and the ‘dual nanocrystalline-amorphous’ microstructure present in the matrix.

具有优异性能的新一代结构材料在涉及极端环境的应用中一直存在需求。在这里，我们演示了高强度，高密度W-TaC-Ta ₂ O ₅的制备纳米复合材料通过使用等离子烧结的简单，经济高效，可扩展，自下而上的粉末冶金方法大规模用于此类应用。通过原子探针研究证明了W-MC复合材料（M = Ta，Zr，Hf，Ti）中碳化物颗粒清除作用的第一个清晰的微观结构证据。由于位错活动，观察到钨中的局部塑性变形和独特的应力诱发的非晶化，并且这些现象通过分子动力学（MD）模拟得到了证实。优化的成分和加工条件可产生约540 HV的高维氏硬度₁₀在直径为100 mm的高档零件中，具有超过1650 MPa的超高横向断裂强度（TRS）。增强的机械性能分别归因于精炼钨晶粒和第二相晶粒内纳米晶体颗粒，相干颗粒-基体界面，晶界处的低氧偏析和晶界处的晶界强化和弥散强化的累积效应。基质中存在“双纳米晶体-非晶”微结构。