Effect of ZrC nano-powder addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of binderless tungsten carbide fabricated by spark plasma sintering. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ren, Xiaoyong; Peng, Zhijian; Wang, Chengbiao; Fu, Zhiqiang; Qi, Longhao; Miao, Hezhuo
• Is Part Of: International journal of refractory metals & hard materials. Volume 48(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 398
• Page End: 407
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Binderless tungsten carbide -- ZrC nano-powder -- Spark plasma sintering -- Mechanical properties; Heat resistant alloys -- Periodicals; Refractory materials -- Periodicals; Metallography -- Periodicals; Alliages réfractaires -- Périodiques; Matériaux réfractaires -- Périodiques; Métallographie -- Périodiques; Heat resistant alloys; Metallography; Refractory materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 669.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2014.10.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-4368

Abstract

Abstract: Binderless tungsten carbide with varied amounts of ZrC nano-powder (0–9 wt.%) were prepared by spark plasma sintering at 1600 °C under an applied pressure of 50 MPa. The effect of ZrC nano-powder addition on the densification behavior, phase composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. With appropriate amount of ZrC nano-powder, the coarsening and abnormal growth of WC grains were suppressed, resulting in more homogeneous microstructure of the materials. The Vickers hardness, flexural strength and fracture toughness of the as-prepared composites first increased and then decreased with increasing addition fraction of ZrC nano-powder. When the added fraction of ZrC nano-powder was 1 wt.%, the hardness and fracture toughness reached their maximum values of about 2800 HV10 and 8.1 MPa·m 1/2, respectively. When the added fraction of ZrC nano-powder was 3 wt.%, the flexural strength presented its maximum value of about 1100 MPa. Highlights: Binderless WC–ZrC cemented carbides were fabricated. The addition amount of ZrC nano-powder on WC cemented carbides was optimized. The addition effect of ZrC nano-powder on WC cemented carbides was investigated. Combining enhancement mechanisms were proposed.