Low temperature pressureless immediate sintering of a novel nanostructured WC/Co/NiCrSiB-alloy cemented carbide

A novel nanostructured cemented carbide formed from WC-5%Co-20%Ni-based brazing alloy is described. During sintering, the Ni-brazing alloy is infiltrated into a green compact of WC-5%Co at 1050-1100 degrees C for 2-60 min. Perfect wetting behavior and a zero contact angle are achieved after only 40 s. Relative densities of 98.5% and 100% and microhardness values of above 1500HV1 and 1800HV1 are obtained after 2 and 30 min, respectively. A change in mean particle size of 550-650 nm in the precursor to a bimodal distribution of 350-400 nm and 10-20 nm is explained by a solution/reprecipitation mechanism. (c) 2017 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.