Research progress in sintering methods and grain inhibition of ultrafine/nano WC-Co cemented carbide

WC-Co cemented carbides are widely used in various industrial fields because of their high hardness, strength, wear resistance, and other properties. Compared with conventional cemented carbides, the comprehensive properties of ultrafine/nano cemented carbides are greatly improved. The key to preparing ultrafine/nano-cemented carbides is inhibiting the growth of WC grains in the sintering process. In this study, the key factors inhibiting WC grain growth and the research status worldwide are discussed from two aspects of sintering methods and grain growth inhibitors for preparing cemented carbides. The advantages and disadvantages of the conventional sintering method and rapid sintering method are introduced, and the grain size and properties of cemented carbide prepared by different sintering methods are compared. The inhibition and reinforcement of other toughening fillers, the mechanism of grain inhibitors, and the advantages of composite grain inhibitors are introduced. Finally, the rapid sintering method and the composite grain inhibitors for preparing ultrafine/nano cemented carbides are proposed. The rapid sintering method can be combined with computer simulation to promote its wide application, and the types and adding methods of composite grain inhibitors require furthur exploration.