Effects of Cr3C2,VC and La2O3 additions on the WC grain morphology,hardness and toughness of WC-10Co alloys were investigated.To intensify the grain growth driving force,nano W and nano C,instead of the conventionally used WC,were used as the starting materials.To obtain a three-dimensional WC grain morphology,the natural sinter skins of the alloys were observed directly by scanning electron microscopy.It is shown that the additions have a strong ability in regulating the WC grain morphological and grain size distribution characteristics and the combinations of hardness and toughness.Due to the formation of regular and homogeneous triangular platelet WC grains,WC-10Co-0.6Cr3C2-0.06La2O3 alloy shows an excellent combination of hardness and toughness.The morphological regulation mechanism,the relationship between the WC grain morphology and the properties were discussed.
WC-6MoxC-0.47Cr3C2-0.28VC binderless carbide was prepared by hot pressing （1700 °C, 20 MPa）. The sample was observed and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X–ray spectroscopy and X–ray diffraction. The results show that during the hot pressing process, W atoms dissolve substantially into the MoxC crystal lattices; whilst, the reverse dissolution of Mo atoms into the WC crystal lattices takes place. Consequently, the main phase and binder phase structure are formed. The phase compositions of the main phase and binder phase are a WC-based solid solution containing Mo and a Mo2C-based solid solution containing W, respectively. The isotropic dissolution and precipitation of W and Mo atoms do not result in substantial carbide coarsening. The mechanism for the densification was discussed.
