Vanadium-spinel composites for structural applications in hostile environments

Vanadium-spinel composites are promising materials for structural applications in radiation environments. Powders of two vanadium-spinel composites, 20/80 vol.%, were prepared by (a) ball milling mixtures of vanadium and spinel powders (alloy VSLP) and (b) through a self-sustained reaction synthesis of vanadium, MgO, and Al powders (alloy VSHP). These powders were consolidated by hot isostatic pressing. Most of the V and spinel domains in the compacts are sub-micron in size. The compacts have Kc toughness values of 3.9, about three times the toughness obtained by hipping mixtures of commercial powders.