Sintering behavior of nanostructured WC–Co composite

Sintering of nanocrystalline WC–Co, retaining the nanoscaled grain sizes is a matter of great interest. Many non traditional methods have been used to achieve this goal as the required result has not been achieved using the traditional method of liquid phase sintering. The present study is an attempt to find out the limitations of traditional sintering method and optimize it to get nanocrystalline WC–Co composites. The effect of temperature, time and composition variation has been studied to see the sintering behavior of nanostructured WC–Co composite. Detailed X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis as well as microstructural examination showed that sintering at 1350 °C for 1 h with 5% binder composition (Co) is a set of critical temperature, time and composition which can provide the required results. The grain growth is through coalescence. At critical conditions the majorities of WC grains are faceted and attains the shape of prismatic and basal facets.