Structural Features and Properties of Alloy 84% WC ― 16% Co, Obtained by Hot Pressing in the Solid and Liquid Phases. Part 1. Effect of the Temperature at which the Specimens are Prepared on Their Density and Structure

Abstract

Studies are made of changes in the porosity and structure of a hard alloy obtained by hot pressing and sintering within a broad range of temperatures (950-1450°C). The effect of solid- and liquid-phase annealing on their porosity and structure is also examined. It is shown that the hot-pressed specimens are denser than the sintered specimens within the solid-phase region, other conditions being equal. Solid-phase annealing of hot-pressed and sintered specimens increases the density of both types of specimens, but the annealing operation is more effective in the former case. It is established that the open pore channels are 2-3 times smaller in the hot-pressed specimens than in the sintered specimens and are no larger than the average size of the tungsten carbide particles. Active growth of the carbide particles and redistribution of the ductile phase are observed even in the solid phase. The carbide particles grow considerably faster (by a factor of four) at sintering temperatures above 1200°C.