Grain growth, phase evolution and properties of NbC carbide-doped WC-10AISI304 hardmetals produced by pseudo hot isostatic pressing

► WC-10 wt.% AISI304 was consolidated by simple and inexpensive pseudo hot isostatic pressing. ► AISI304 stainless steel is used to replace conventional cobalt binder. ► Detrimental η-phase forms due to accelerated diffusion at high pressure. ► Additional of 2 wt.% NbC significantly refines WC grain and eliminates η-phase. ► High hardness with moderate toughness of WC hardmetal system is obtained.