Fabrication of Nano-Sized WC/Co Composite Powder by Direct Reduction and Carburization with Carbon

Abstract

Direct reduction and carburization process was thought one of the best methods to make nano-sized WC powder. The oxide powders were mixed with graphite powder by ball milling in the compositions of WC-5,-10wt%Co. The mean size of mixed powders was about 250 nm after milling. The mixture was heated at the temperatures of 600~800°C for 5 hours in Ar. The reaction time of the reduction and carburization was decreased as heating temperatures and cobalt content increased. The mean size of WC/Co composite powders was about 260 nm after the reactions. And the mean size of WC grains in WC/Co composite powder was about 38 nm after the reaction at 800°C for 5 hours.