The temperature ranges for maximum effectiveness of grain growth inhibitors in WC–Co alloys

Abstract In order to more effectively control the WC grain growth during liquid phase sintering of submicron WC–Co alloys, the temperature ranges where common grain growth inhibitors are most active have been determined. In the study, small additions (0.5% by weight) of TiC, TaC, NbC, VC, and Cr3C2 were added to WC–6Co and WC–10Co alloys. In some cases, a small amount of coarse WC powder was added to simulate the effect of discontinuous grain growth. The powder compacts were vacuum sintered at temperatures ranging from 1300 to 1575 °C. The magnetic coercivity and microstructure results indicated that VC is equally effective in limiting continuous grain growth for all temperatures within the temperature range while the other inhibitors become more effective with temperature. VC was also found to be the most effective inhibitor of discontinuous grain growth. The results of the investigation are expressed in terms of the effectiveness of grain growth inhibition as determined by microstructural analysis, magnetic coercivity and hardness.