To develop modified tungsten materials, progress has been made in the development of irradiation-resistant W materials with improved thermomechanical properties over the past decade under collaborative university research and development in Japan. Researchers have developed grain refinement, work hardening, alloying, and dispersion strengthening aimed at improving the ductility and toughness of modified tungsten materials, even under neutron irradiation.

Analysis of latest tungsten market from Chinatungsten Online

China’s ammonium paratungstate (APT) and tungsten powder prices are unchanged from the previous trading day because the market continues to be quiet. 

As a plasma-facing material (PFM) for fusion reactor steering, the mechanical properties of W materials still suffer from some defects, namely ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) and brittleness due to recrystallization. To solve these problems, modified tungsten materials with improved thermomechanical properties, neutron irradiation tolerance, and microstructural homogeneity with mass production possibilities have been developed in the last decade with collaborative R&D at Japanese universities.

China rare earth price has shown a steady rise in the second half of May 2023 mainly due to the long period of decline in rare earth prices in the early stage and the recent increase in the enthusiasm of downstream users for inquiries.