Abstract
Binder-less WC has been developed as a complement to the conventional cemented carbide, WC-Co, for use in corrosive environments where the metal binder degrades. Despite of its excellent resistance to corrosion and hardness, however, relatively low toughness and strength of the binder-less WC limits its application for tools and machine parts. PAS (Plasma-Assisted Sintering) process was adopted for improving these properties by decreasing sizes of WC grains. WC powders of less than 100 nm in average size were consolidated with the process variables such as sintering temperature and amount of additives. Additives as much as up to 1.0wt% were added to control the microstructure and inhibit grain growth. Pure and additives-doped WC powders were sintered at temperatures from 1200 to 1600oC, and the resultant microstructures were examined.
