WC–Co particulate reinforcing Cu matrix composites produced by direct laser sintering

Experimental investigations on the development of the WC–10%Co particulate reinforcing Cu matrix composite material have been conducted using direct laser sintering. The chemical compositions and microstructures of the laser processed material have been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy disperse X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscope (AFM). An excellent interfacial bonding between the reinforcement and the matrix was obtained. The WC reinforcing particulates typically had two distinct morphologies, i.e., partially dissolved and smoothed or completely dissolved and refined. The effects of the WC–Co content on the microstructural characteristics and resultant properties of the laser sintered parts have been studied. It was found that lowering the amount of WC–Co resulted in the insufficient reinforcement, while at a higher amount of WC–Co the significant agglomeration of the WC reinforcing particulates occurred. A homogeneous sintered structure with a high average hardness of HV0.1384.6 was obtainable using 30 wt.% WC–Co.