Abstract
The effect of the mixing method on the characteristics of hybrid-structure W powder with nano and micro sizes is investigated. Fine $WO_3$ powders with sizes of ${\sim}0.6{\mu}m$, prepared by ball milling for 10 h, are mixed with pure W powder with sizes of $12{\mu}m$ by various mixing process. In the case of simple mixing with ball-milled $WO_3$ and micro sized W powders, $WO_3$ particles are locally present in the form of agglomerates in the surface of large W powders, but in the case of ball milling, a relatively uniform distribution of $WO_3$ particles is exhibited. The microstructural observation reveals that the ball milled $WO_3$ powder, heat-treated at $750^{\circ}C$ for 1 h in a hydrogen atmosphere, is fine W particles of ~200 nm or less. The powder mixture prepared by simple mixing and hydrogen reduction exhibits the formation of coarse W particles with agglomeration of the micro sized W powder on the surface. Conversely, in the powder mixture fabricated by ball milling and hydrogen reduction, a uniform distribution of fine W particles forming nano-micro sized hybrid structure is observed.
