Nano-structured tungsten carbide compacts with cobalt matrices (WC-Co) offer new opportunities for achieving superior hardness and toughness combinations. A unified modeling and simulation tool has been developed to produce maps of sintering pathways from nanocrystalline WC powder to sintered nano-structured WC-Co compacts. This tool includes (1) die compaction, (2) grain growth, (3) densification, (4) sensitivity analysis, and (5) optimization. All material parameters were obtained by curve fitting based on results with two WC-Co powders. Critical processing parameters are determined based on sensitivity analysis and are optimized to minimize grain size with high density.

WC-TiC-TaC binderless cemented carbide was oxidized under low partial pressure of oxygen (50ppm) at 873K for 1 to 20 h. Surface roughness was measured using atomic force microscope, and effect of TiC amount on oxidation behavior of the carbide was investigated. WC phase was oxidized more easily than WC-TiC-TaC solid solution phase. With an increase in TiC amount, WC-TiC-TaC phase increased and the oxidation resistance of the carbide increased.

During sintering of cemented carbides abnormal grain growth is often observed but cannot be understood from the classical LSW-theory. A model based on 2-D nucleation of new crystalline layers and a grain-size distribution function is formulated and the equations are solved numerically. Experimental studies and computer simulations show that the initial grain size distribution has a strong effect on the grain growth behavior. For example, a fine-grained powder can grow past a coarser powder.

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.

The effect of WC or NbC addition on various properties of Ti(C0.7N0.3)-Ni cermets was investigated. The microstructure oj Ti(C0.7N0.3)-xWC-20Ni showed a typical core/rim structure, irrespective of the WC content, whereas the structure oj Ti(C0.7N0.3)-xNbC-20Ni was different and was dependent on the NbC content. The hardness (HV) and the fracture toughness (KIC) had a tendency to increase marginally, while the coercive force (HC) and the magnetic saturation decreased gradually with an increase in WC or NbC content in the systems studied. In addition, increasing WC content in Ti(C0.7N0.3)-xWC-20Ni system, decarburization was retarded, while denitrification was accelerated

Austenitic stainless steel has been used as a corrosion resistance material. However, austenitic stainless steel has poor wear resistance property due to its low hardness. In this investigation, we apply powder composite process to obtain hard layer of Stainless steel. The composite material was fabricated from planetary ball milled SUS316L stainless steel powder and WC powder and then sintered by Pulsed Current Sintering (PCS) method. We also added TiC powder as a hard particle in WC layer. Evaluations of wear properties were performed by pin-on-disk wear testing machine, and a remarkable improvement in wear resistance property was obtained.

This paper deals with the fabrication of titanium carbide using fine titanium hydride. The ratio of and C (Activated carbon) was 1:1 (mol) and milled in a planetary ball mill at a ball-to-powder weight ratio of 20:1. Thereafter, TGA was performed at to observe change of weight with milling time. Titanium carbide was obtained by using tempering the milled powders at . The microstructures of titanium carbide as well as the change of the lattice parameters and particle size have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Ultrafine titanium carbide particles were synthesized by the reaction of liquid-magnesium and vaporized TiCl+CCl(x = 1 and 2) solution. Fine titanium carbide particles with about 50 nm were successfully produced by combining Ti and C atoms released by chloride reduction of magnesium, and vacuum was then used to remove the residual phases of MgCl and excess Mg. Small amounts of impurities such as O, Fe, Mg and Cl were detected in the product, but such problem can be solved by more precise process control. The lattice parameter of the product was 0.43267 nm, near the standard value. With respect to the reaction kinetics, the activation energy for the reactions of TiCl+CCland Mg was found to 69 kJ/mole, which was about half value against the use of TiCl+CCl, and such higher reactivity of the former contributed to increase the stoichiometry until the level of TiC and decrease the free carbon content below 0.3 wt.%.

Ultra fine titanium carbide particles were synthesized by novel metallic thermo-reduction process. The vaporized TiC1+ gases were reacted with liquid magnesium and the fine titanium carbide particles were then produced by combining the released titanium and carbon atoms. The vacuum treatment was followed to remove the residual phases of MgC1 and excess Mg. The stoichiometry, microstructure, fixed and carbon contents and lattice parameter were investigated in titanium carbide powders produced in various reaction parameters.