抄録
We prepared WC-based W-C-B ceramics by reactive resistance-heated hot pressing at 1600 to 1800°C from a B4C-5W-80WC (molar ratio) powder mixture containing a small amount of VC, and examined the effect of VC on sinterability and the mechanical properties of the ceramics. The sintered bodies were composed mainly of WC and small quantities of W2C, WB, W2B and VC. Slight amounts of V were detected at the boundaries between WC grains. VC raised the sintering temperature necessary for obtaining dense bodies, and strongly suppressed the growth of WC grains. Young’s modulus for the dense bodies was slightly smaller than that without VC because of the low modulus value of VC. The suppressive effect of VC on the growth of WC grains avoided reducing hardness with increasing sintering temperature.
