Sol–Gel Derived Fe‐Rich Matrix Composites Having Precipitated WC

Thermal Cycling Behavior of Thin WC‐Co Sintered Pellets

“…It was decided to study WC‐Co composites with 20 wt% Co to compare the formation of crystal phases in the system WC‐Co with that for WC‐Fe composites formed by sol‐gel . To study the phases WC, Fe, and subcarbides Fe 3 W 3 C/Fe 6 W 6 C, as well as the WC/Fe interfaces formed during the in‐situ precipitation of both WC and Fe in the nearly amorphous matrices, it was convenient to have compositions with high iron contents.…”

“…The heat treatment (HT)/sintering cycles (Table ) were carried out in a SiC furnace fitted with an alumina tube having sealed inlet/outlets for gas atmospheres and where reasonable double‐stage‐pump (Edwards 5 Two Stage E2 M5) vacuum could be reached (1.3–40 Pa); Varian, 801, tc vacuum gauge) . The primary gas mixture (H 2 /Ar) employed was 10% H 2 –Argon 5.0 (Linde gas, H 2 O < 2.0, O 2 < 2.0, N 2 < 5.0, H 2 < 1.0, CH 4 < 1.0, CO < 1.0 ppm/volume).…”

“…There is strong interest to produce fine grained WC/Co composites and related metal matrix composites (MMC), including those made through chemical synthesis, of acceptable toughness and hardness, as well as to determine precisely the densification and grain growth kinetics involved in such typical systems …”