MPIF releases tungsten and refractory metals self-study course

The Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF) has announced the release of a self-study course on the Fundamental Principles of Processing Tungsten and Other Refractory Materials. Presented by Dr Randall German, FAPMI, and Dr John Johnson, FAPMI, the course is intended to provide a solid framework of tungsten, refractory, heavy alloy, W-Cu composites, and cemented carbide powder production, shaping and consolidation options, and sintering.

The course contains twelve pre-recorded segments, averaging an hour each, and will be open to the registrant for two months from the date of purchase.

It will provide participants with an understanding of the practical processing of tungsten and refractory metals as well as engineering as it relates to this technology. The course has a strong technical emphasis on refractory materials, which is intended to provide valuable knowledge for career development. Upon completion, participants should be able to:

• Differentiate refractory metals from other materials, and understand mechanical properties and application as engineered materials
• Discuss how combinations of refractory metals and cemented carbides affect these materials’ ductility, stiffness, hardness, CTE, conductivity, oxidation resistance, and microstructures
• Discuss particle size, shape, characterisation, and techniques for producing refractory powders
• Understand shaping techniques utilised for the production of components from refractory materials
• Understand the degree of sintering, particle necking, grain boundary diffusion, densification, and its effect on mechanical properties
• Identify good candidates for refractory material components, required secondary operations
• Understand design features, composition flexibility, competitive properties, and performance data of various refractory materials

Below is a listing of lectures, with a short description of the goals and objectives that will be defined within the lecture:

1. Introduction – An introduction to the terminology, background, and definitions associated with tungsten, tungsten carbides, and related refractory metal alloys
2. Refractory Metals and Alloys – Individual refractory metals and tungsten carbides, key properties, historical highlights, major alloying and compositions, and examples of applications
3. Powder Testing – Powder characteristics, including particle size distribution, surface area, particle imaging, apparent and tap densities, and how these characteristics can be modified through milling and mixing
4. Powder Fabrication – Elemental, blended, alloyed, composite, and nanoscale powders including powder fabrication methods, and the application of powder characterisation tools
5. Shaping – Typical powder shaping processes, rationalisation and examples of shaping for various components, and identification of limitations
6. Sintering – Sintering definition; sintering – mechanisms, activated, liquid phase, and pressure-assisted sintering, stages, driving force; initial stage neck growth; intermediate stage densification; final stage pore elimination, grain growth; structure changes
7. Microstructure – Typical microstructures, grain size distribution, dihedral and contact angles, fracture surfaces, and how microstructure affects properties
8. Refractory Alloys – Composition, processing, microstructure, properties, how composition and temperature change properties, most common refractory alloy features and applications
9. Carbides – History and advantages and unique properties of cemented carbides, densification methods, testing, and diversity of applications
10. Heavy Alloy – History, property variations, effects of composition and processing, production process options, mechanical properties, and application examples
11. Thermal Management – Thermal and electrical management applications, why composites of refractory metals can be a better solution and other materials such as Mo-Cu and W-Ag
12. Parting Comments – A final review of primary use and applications of refractory materials, discuss market pressures and trends, and explore new opportunities for these materials

To register for the course, click here.

www.mpif.org