Effects of Al₂O₃ platelet and VC additive on sintering and mechanical properties of WC-based composites by hot pressing

ABSTRACT

Fully dense WC-Al₂O₃ platelet composites with VC additive were fabricated by hot-press sintering. Their mechanical properties and microstructure were examined. The contents of Al₂O₃ platelet (Al₂O_3pl) and VC were optimised. The fracture toughness of WC-based composites would be obviously improved with Al₂O_3pl addition. The defined addition of VC was beneficial for the densification and improved mechanical properties of the WC-based composites. The microstructure of the composites was fine, compact and homogeneous compared with the composites without VC addition. The range of fracture toughness of WC-Al₂O_3pl composites was 9.3–13.5 MPa m^1/2. The flexural strength of the composites varied a little and the maximum was 1289 MPa when the content of Al₂O_3pl was 5 vol.-%, the content of VC was 0.5wt-%.

KEYWORDS:

• Al₂O₃ platelet
• VC
• WC-based composites
• mechanical properties

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the support by Initial Research Funds for Young Teachers of Donghua University [grant number 20D410301].

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by Initial Research Funds for Young Teachers of Donghua University [grant number 20D410301].