Cr3C2 doped W0.6Al0.4C0.8–Co hard alloys prepared by hot-pressing

•W0.6Al0.4C0.8-8 wt.% Co with Cr3C2 were prepared by hot-pressing.•Cr3C2 and sintering temperatures had influences on the W0.6Al0.4C0.8 grain size.•The mechanical properties of W0.6Al0.4C0.8-8 wt% Co were improved by Cr3C2.

W0.6Al0.4C0.88 wt.% Co hard alloys doped with 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 wt.% Cr3C2 were prepared by hot-pressing. The effect of Cr3C2 content and sintering temperature on the relative density, microstructure and mechanical properties of the hard alloys was investigated. Based on the results, both the Cr3C2 content and sintering temperature had great influences on the carbide grain size. The hardness of the samples added by 0.6 wt.% Cr3C2 achieved the maximum value of 1987 kg/mm2 when it was sintered at 1300 °C. The transverse rupture strength of the samples achieved the maximum value of 1929 MPa with 0.3 wt.% Cr3C2 sintered at 1270 °C.