Anostructured Sintered WC-Co Hard Alloys (Review)

Abstract

Process for powders of tungsten, tungsten carbide, WC–Co mixture, and various sintering technologies for nanosized WC-Co hard alloys were reviewed. Based on the analysis of published data, the properties, structure, and application of nanosized WC-Co hard alloys were analyzed. It was established that, regardless of the technology, the mandatory requirements to obtain fine hard alloys are: (i) the purity of original materials, (ii) precise compliance with technological procedure, and (iii) high control ratio at all production stages, which exclude unwanted phases and defects in the structure.