A novel cemented hard alloy prepared by mechanical alloying and hot-pressing sintering

The synthesis of the (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5-Co bulk alloy using hot-pressing (HP) technique, was investigated. The (W 0.5Al0.5)C0.5 powders and cobalt powders were enclosed in assembling graphite dice under argon atmosphere, and then were sintered in an inductive hot-pressing vacuum furnace. The sintering temperature (1400-1500°C) was maintained for 10-20 minutes, while 40 MPa pressure was maintained in the die. The specimens were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), environment scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), and energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX). The densities of the sintered specimens were determined by the Archimedes water immersion method. It was observed that the bulk alloy specimens obtained by hot-pressing exhibited similar thermal stability. Result shows that (W0.5Al0.5)C0.5-Co cemented hard alloy is different from WC-Co cemented carbides.