A steel/cemented carbide couple is selected to generate a tough/hard two layers material. Sintering temperature and composition are deduced from phase equilibria, and experimental studies are used to determine optimal conditions. Liquid migration from the hard layer to the tough one is observed. Microstructure evolution during sintering of the tough material (TEM, SEM, image analysis) evidences coupled mechanisms of pore reduction and WC dissolution. Liquid migration, as well as interface crack formation due to differential densification are limited by suitable temperature and time conditions.

Processing of W-Cu graded materials from attritor-milled W-CuO mixtures is described. The powder reduction steps are investigated by TG and XRD analyses and by microstructural observations (SEM, TEM). Sintering of reduced powder with different compositions is analysed by dilatometry. Sintering behaviour of the graded component processed by co-compaction of a 10/20/30wt%Cu multi-layer material is briefly discussed. Liquid Cu migration is observed and smooths the composition gradient. Perspectives to control this migration are discussed.