On the reaction sequence of WC–Co formation using an integrated mechanical and thermal activation process

Abstract A systematic study on the reaction sequence of WC–Co composite formation by annealing high energy ball milled WO 3 , CoO and graphite powder mixtures in a hydrogen atmosphere has been conducted. X-ray diffraction has been used as the main tool to analyze the phase transformation of the powder mixture during processing. It was observed that WO 3 is reduced to W phase by passing through the intermediate W 20 O 58 and WO 2 phases and the subsequent carburization sequence appears as W→Co 6 W 6 C→Co 3 W 3 C→W 2 C→WC. The intermediate Co 3 W has been found in the reduction stage, which can be subsequently carburized at higher temperatures.