Crystallization characteristics and viscous flow behavior of WC/amorphous Ni 73Si 10B 17 metal matrix composites

Abstract

The crystallization and viscous flow behavior of WC/amorphous Ni 73Si 10B 17 metal matrix composites was examined by using X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and thermochemical analysis. The progress of crystallization is faster in the tungsten carbide (WC)-dispersed composites than in the single-phase amorphous Ni 73Si 10B 17, and the enthalpy of crystallization decreases with increasing volume fraction of the WC particles. It was observed that the activation energy of crystallization of WC-containing samples increased rapidly at almost the same peak temperature relative to the amorphous Ni 73Si 10B 17 alloy. For every composition studied, the viscosity decreased with increasing volume fraction of WC particles; hence the yield stress was raised by increasing the volume fraction of WC particles. T gi can be controlled by changing the volume fraction of WC particles.