The research on the binder phase for the (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5 system

Cemented carbide hard alloys (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5–M (Fe, Co, and Ni) were successfully produced by mechanical alloying and hot-pressing. The density, microhardness and bending strength of the samples were also tested. The relative density of the bulk samples can reach over 98% under the hot-pressing sintering. Comparison of sintering behavior, microstructure and mechanical property of the hard alloys (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5 with different binders (Fe, Co, and Ni) has been made. It found that no η-type phases formed in all the three kinds of hard alloys (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5–Co, (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5–Ni and (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5–Fe during the sintering process. The results also showed that, in (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5–M (Fe, Co, and Ni) hard alloys with constant grain size and binder phase content, the hardness of (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5–Fe is similar to (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5–Co hard alloys and the bending strength of (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5–Ni is a little lower than (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5–Co hard alloys.

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► (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5–M(Fe, Co, Ni) were successfully produced by hot-pressing.
► The best sintering temperature for (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5–Fe is 1410 °C.
► The best sintering temperature for (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5–Co is 1350°C.
► The best sintering temperature for (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5–Ni is 1410°C.
► Comparison of bulk (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5 sintered with Fe, Co or Ni has been made.