Effect of VC and C Addition on Mechanical Properties and Microstructures of WC-Co Hardmetals Processed in Nitrogen-Based Atmosphere

The WC-Co, WC-Co-VC and WC-Co-C samples are fabricated using powder metallurgy technique. The mixed powder is compacted under the pressure of 625 MPa, cold-isostatic pressed at 200 MPa and sintered at temperature in the range of 1350 – 1450°C nitrogen-based atmosphere. The mechanical properties of the samples are analyzed using Vicker’s microhardness tester, universal tensile machine and scanning electron microscope. Test results reveal that WC-Co-C sample has better mechanical properties as compared to WC-Co and WC-Co-VC due to the formation of homogeneous and dense structure.