Mechanical properties and rapid consolidation of nanostructured WC and WC-Al2O3 composites by high-frequency induction-heated sintering

The short-term rapid sintering of nanostructured WC and WC-Al2O3 hard materials was fabricated using the high-frequency induction-heating sintering (HFIHS) process. The sintering behaviors, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the WC and WC-Al2O3 composites were investigated. The addition of Al2O3 to WC can facilitate sintering, and the grain size of WC decreases as the addition of Al2O3 is increased; furthermore, the hardness and fracture toughness of WC-15 vol% Al2O3 are greater than those of monolithic WC and Al2O3.