Ultra-fine hardmetal matrix of high performance nanosized composite coating

Hardmetal matrix of high hardness and strength is required to produce high performance nanosized composite coating. Refining WC grain size can increase hardness and strength of hardmetal matrix simultaneously and is therefore the most useful routine of industrial practice. We have employed several grain growth retardants of different sizes and compared their effect on microstructure evolution of hardmetal matrix. High hardness and strength composite coating has been produced by using nanosized grain growth retardant agent(s). Our result(s) showed that the average grain size of WC is less than 0.3 μm within the matrix.