Synthesis and characterization of WC-FeCr base alloy composite produced by spark plasma sintering

Abstract

This study investigates the microstructural and mechanical properties of WC-FeCr base alloy composite materials prepared using spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The composites with different FeCr alloy content (2% and 6%) were sintered at temperatures of 1100 °C, 1200 °C, and 1300 °C. The characterization of the sintered samples involved analyzing the surface morphology, phase composition, and grain structure of the sintered samples using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results indicate that the FeCr alloy content has a significant influence on the microstructural characteristics, hardness, and density of the WC-FeCr composites. Increasing FeCr alloy content results in improved surface quality and enhanced hardness. Additionally, the sintering temperature plays a crucial role in determining the microstructural features and mechanical properties of the composites.