Abstract
Ultrafine WC–Ni based cemented carbides with varying fraction of SiC nano-whiskers were fabricated by hot-press sintering at 1400°C for 60min under a sintering pressure of 20MPa and with the assistance of VC and TaC as WC grain growth inhibitors. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that no SiC phase can be detected. Scanning electron microscopy examination indicates that the sintered samples have WC grains with a mean size of about 400nm; with small amount of SiC nano-whisker, the samples can be consolidated; but as the added fraction of SiC nano-whisker increases, the agglomeration and inhomogeneous dispersion of the SiC whisker become more and more serious. With increasing added fraction of SiC nano-whisker, the flexural strength and Vickers hardness of the samples first increase and then decrease, indicating that an appropriate addition amount of SiC nano-whisker could improve the mechanical properties of the samples. When the SiC nano-whisker added fraction is 0.53wt.% and 0.42wt.%, the flexural strength and Vickers hardness of the samples reach their maximum values of about 1700MPa and 1910 HV, respectively. The fracture toughness of the samples reaches its highest value of 15MPa·m1/2 when the added fraction of SiC nano-whisker is 0.53wt.%.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
