Abstract
WC-W2C-TiC ceramics were prepared by reactive hot-pressing of WC and Ti powder mixtures at 1800°C, and were examined for reaction products, microstructure and mechanical properties. As the mole fraction x of Ti in the powder mixtures (1-x)WC-xTi was increased, the reactant WC was decreased and the products W2C, TiC and (Ti, W)C was increased. Sintered bodies were dense up to x=0.1. Above this value, the porosity of sintered bodies was increased, and their mechanical properties were much degraded in comparison with WC. Sintered bodies for x=0.05 to 0.075 had relatively good mechanical properties: Young's modulus, Vickers hardness and fracture toughness values higher than 500 GPa, 24 GPa and 4.5 MPa m1/2, respectively.
