Abstract
Tungsten heavy alloys are two phase metal–matrix composites characterised by dispersed tungsten grains in solidified alloy matrix. In this work, different compositions of tungsten heavy alloy composites were fabricated from elemental powders by liquid phase sintering to assess the effect of varying tungsten content on the microstructure and fracture behaviour. Fracture surface observations indicated that the alloy was at maximum strength when there was greatest cleavage failure in the tungsten particle. At higher W contents the tendency towards intergranular failure increased. The results demonstrate that in order to attain the higher mechanical properties a good binding force in the interface between tungsten grains and matrix is necessary.