Properties of "Nitrogen Contained β Plus WC Compacts" Obtained by Sintering in Nitrogen

Abstract

Two sorts of green compacts were made by using β(WC-TiC solid solution) and β(N)(WC-TiC-TiN solid solution containing 4.2%N) starting powders. They were nitrified at 1523 K in N₂ (nitrogen atmosphere) of 2.7-20kPa and subsequently sintered at 1673-1873 K in N₂. The microstructure, hardness, transverse-rupture strength, etc., of sintered compacts were studied.
Fine WC particles were precipitated from f or β(N) when β or β(N) compact was. nitrified, resulting in the mixture of nitrogen contained i and WC phases. The dense compacts were obtained when the mixture was sintered at temperature above about 1823 K. The compact prepared by using β(N) powder showed in particular a very high hardness and an excellent transverse-rupture strength.