Effects of sintering temperature on the densification of WC-6Co cemented carbides sintered by coupled multi-physical-fields activated technology

Abstract

-Sample parts with WC-6Co cemented carbides were manufactured successfully with a novel method called coupled multi-physical-fields (electric field, temperature field and force field) activated sintering technology, using a Gleeble-1500D thermal simulation machine. Effects of sintering temperature on the densification, microstructures and hardness of samples were investigated. It was found that densification of the samples was enhanced with the increase of the sintering temperature and a relative density of as high as 98.76% achieved when a sintering temperature of 1200°C was used. The particle size of the WC in sintered samples increased from 1.837 lm to 2.897 lm when the temperature was increased from 1000°C to 1200°C, resulting in the decrease of the hardness from HRC 63.5 to HRC 61.7. The presented work shows that, potentially, coupled multi-physical-fields activated technology is able to produce hard alloys to meet the engineering applications.

Sintering of BN/cemented carbide composites under an electric field for improved mechanical performances

“…In CEDC high-voltage discharge obtained by a capacitor bank and released with an extremely short pulse creates a significant current density passing through a powder compact [15] while the ERS process directly introduces electric current to sinter a powder compact under the effects of Joule heat [16]. In particular, coupled multi-physical-fields activated sintering (CMPFAS) and spark plasma sintering (SPS) are among the widely used ERS [10,17,18]. The major differences between the CMPFAS and SPS are twofold.…”

“…successfully prepared cemented carbides with a relative density of up to 97% at a very low temperature of 850 °C [17]. Zhou et al investigated the correlation between the sintering temperature and the consolidation of the WC/Co alloys and found a relative density of up to 98.76% could be produced at a temperature of 1200°C [10].…”

“…The past decades have witnessed a booming consuming of cemented carbides (WC/Co) in such various applications as drilling and mining due to their excellent mechanical properties [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. The existence of WC grains equips cemented carbides with high hardness, strength and good wear resistance, whereas binder phases contribute the toughness and ductility to the alloys.…”

Integrated, multidisciplinary approaches for micro-manufacturing research, and new opportunities and challenges to micro-manufacturing

“…Micro-FAST is a process concept which scales down conventional FAST to the micro-scale process (dealing with miniature an micro-sized components) and combines the sintering process with a micro-forming process to enable shaping components under coupled multi-fields actions (Figure 7), and hence, to achieve high-density, near-net-shaped components with high efficiency (Figure 8). For example, WC-6Co cemented carbides were formed with this technique; 46 MnZn ferrites were also sintered with this method; 47 various 316L stainless steel parts were formed successfully 48 as well as that from copper powder. 49 More micro-parts formed with and developing process understanding of Micro-FAST were reported in the literatures.…”

“…Being encouraged by the achievements in fundamental research and laboratory process developments through international collaborations between Sichuan University, China, and the University of Strathclyde, UK, 29,[46][47][48][49][50] an EU consortium was established with an aim to transfer the laboratory Micro-FAST process to component production by developing high-quality powders and technological enablers for manufacturing ( Figure 9). The EU Micro-FAST consortium assembled various experts and resources from 18 partners from 9 EU countries, including 11 industrial partners to address the development needs, respectively, in powder materials, powder feeding, tool design and fabrication, machine design and construction, condition monitoring and system automation, tool inspection and automated cleaning, being supported by multi-scale modelling and life-cycle engineering experts and enabling tools.…”