Study of nanostructured WC-Co composites

Nanostructured materials, also termed nanocrystalline materials, have emerged upon the horizon in the past few years. In the present research, a preliminary study has been performed regarding sintering, grain growth, and mechanical properties of nanostructured WC-Co. It was found that densification of nanostructured WC-Co powder could be completed in 5 min, or 15 min if grain growth inhibitors are added. Grains grow extremely rapidly, very likely via coalescence, during heating and the first few minutes (< 5) at temperature. After the initial rapid stage, grain growth followed the linear relationship of coarsening. It was also found that samples made from nanostructured powder had better surface crack resistance than samples made from standard submicron powder.