Oxidation resistance behavior of smart W-Si bulk composites

The oxidation behavior of W-Si bulk composite was investigated to evaluate its performance on the simulating accidental environment in the future fusion reactor. Tungsten trisilicide is the main functional phase, which can form amorphous SiO y and polycrystalline WO 3 with nano-porous network during oxidation. This special structure can not only retard W volatilization, but also offer well self-adaption adjustment to different phases. In addition, cracks at the oxide scale/composite interface can be self-healed with the help of this structure. Protrusions are found on the surface of the oxidized W-32Si related with Fe impurity. The vapour-liquid-solid mechanism for the protrusions is proposed.