Consolidation and Properties of Tungsten Carbide Target with Low Cobalt Content by Hot-Press Sintering

Abstract

Tungsten carbide (WC) targets with low cobalt (Co) content (0.1 - 0.2 wt.%) were prepared by hot-press sintering at 1700°C for 60 minutes in argon, from element starting powders of tungsten, cobalt and carbon. Results show that the as-fabricated targets yield relatively high relative density above 99% and high HRA above 92. WC with low Co content is formed easily than pure WC. The hot-press sintering process, while element starting powders are used, is an in-situ reaction technique for accelerating the WC’s diffusion rate to obtain a dense sintered body.