Composite W–Cu powders by joint reduction of oxides in combustion mode

Abstract

Composite powders W–Cu were prepared via joint reduction of WO₃ and CuO oxides with Mg‒C combined reducer in a combustion mode by using the method of coupled reactions. Combustion phenomenology and the processes of phase and microstructure formation were investigated by thermocouple and copper- wedge techniques combined with XRD, SEM, and EDS analyses. Thermal conditions of combustion and phase composition and microstructure of products were found to depend on a Mg/C ratio in green mixtures. It was established that the magnesiothermic reaction was preceded by the stage of low-caloric carbothermal reduction. Slow propagation of combustion wave was found to favor the complete reduction of oxides and formation of target W–Cu composite nanopowder.