Abstract: In this study, Cu was added as the third additive to lower the sintering temperature of W-Ni-Fe alloy. By adding 2 wt pct Cu, a dense 93W-3.5Ni-1.5Fe-2.0Cu tungsten alloy was obtained by hot-pressing at a low temperature of 1573 K which is a process of liquid-phase sintering. As a result, the morphology of W-Ni-Fe alloy changed obviously after the addition of Cu and the alloy had higher relative density and rupture strength. The mechanism of the densification of W-Ni-Fe-Cu alloy at the low temperature was then mainly investigated. It was found that, part sintering activators Ni and Fe could exist in liquid form at 1573 K due to the addition of Cu, which made it easy for Ni and Fe to dissolve W and thus the full densification of W-Ni-Fe-Cu alloy at the low temperature was realized.

Key words: W-Ni-Fe alloy, Sintering, Mechanical properties