Conventional sintering of WC with nano-sized Co binder: Characterization and mechanical behavior

In this study, WC particles of 1-3 mu m were blended with two different sizes of Co particles and sintered conventionally at two different temperatures. Compaction of initial powders was carried out using a relatively new dynamic compaction method called Magnetic Pulsed compaction (MPC). The maximum Vickers hardness for the samples found was around 1353 HV (13.27 GPa), while the maximum fracture toughness was observed at 4.6 MPa . m(1/2). The marked changes in density, hardness, fracture toughness and crack behavior observed in the samples indicate strong correlations among particle size, sintering process and mechanical properties of cemented carbides. In addition, the nature of crack initiation and propagation, which is indicative of the trend in fracture toughness of materials, was observed and analyzed. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.