Consolidation of ultra fine WC and WC–Co hard materials by pulsed current activated sintering and its mechanical properties

Using pulsed current activated sintering method, the densification of binderless WC and WC–xwt.%Co (x = 8, 10, 12) hard materials were accomplished using ultra fine powder of WC and WC–Co. Nearly fully dense WC and WC–Co with a relative density of up to 99.2% could be obtained with simultaneous application of 60 MPa pressure and electric current within 2 min without significant change in grain size. The average grain sizes of WC produced by PCAS were about 380 nm. The hardness and fracture toughness of the dense WC and WC–Co composites produced by PCAS were investigated.