Reactive sintering study of a novel cemented carbide hard alloy (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5-Ni

Cemented carbides hard alloy (W0.5Al0.5)C-0.5-13.3 vol% Ni was successfully prepared by reactive sintering of carbon, nickel powder and W0.5Al0.5 alloy powder. The novel cemented carbide hard alloy has superior mechanical properties. The influence of sintering time and temperature on the microstructure, mechanical properties and density of the specimens are well described. Interestingly, both sintering time and temperature have amazing influence on the mechanical properties, density and microstructure of the specimen. During the reactive sintering process, Ni was the binder phase for sintering (W0.5Al0.5)C-0.5-Ni cemented carbide, and it also accelerated the reaction rate of synthesizing (W0.5Al0.5)C-0.5. The reactive sintering is a good method for preparing cemented carbide hard alloy (W0.5Al0.5)C-0.5-Ni. Another phenomenon is that no WNi/W3Ni3C/Ni-x type phases are found in the bulk specimens, although it was prepared by reactive sintering the carbon, nickel powder and W0.5Al0.5 alloy powder directly and the carbon vacancy reach to the astonished 50% value. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.