Fast fabrication of W–Cu functionally graded material by high-gravity combustion synthesis and melt-infiltration

Abstract W–Cu functionally graded material (FGM, 75 wt% W + 25 wt% Cu—40 wt% W + 60 wt% Cu) has been prepared by a method of high-gravity combustion synthesis and melt-infiltration in a short time (∼5 min). The infiltration mechanism in the high-gravity field was investigated. The W–Cu FGM showed an overall relative density of ∼97% and gradually-varying properties in terms of density, micro hardness, coefficient of thermal expansion. Especially, the W–Cu FGM exhibited a coefficient of thermal expansion between those of W and Cu, and thus could be used as a transition layer between W and Cu to relax the thermal stresses.