Properties and Rapid Sintering of Nanostructured WC and WC-TiAl by the High Frequency Induction Heating

Abstract

In the case of cemented WC, Ni or Co is added as a binder for the formation of composite structures. However, the high cost and the low hardness of Ni or Co, and the low corrosion resistance of the WC-Ni and WC-Co cermets have generated interest in alternative binder phases recently. In this study, TiAl was used as a novel binder and consolidated by the high frequency induction heated sintering (HFIHS) method. Nanopowders of WC and TiAl were made by high energy ball milling. Highly dense WC and WC-10 vol% TiAl with a relative density of up to 99 % were obtained within one min by HFIHS under a pressure of 80 MPa. The addition of TiAl to WC enhanced the toughness without great decrease of hardness due to the crack deflection and nanostructured phase.