Fabrication and mechanical properties of WC-Go-Al_2O_3 nanocomposites by spark plasma sintering

摘要

Small amounts of nanocrystalline Al_2O_3 particles were doped in WC-Co nanocrystalline powders to study their reinforcing effects, and spark plasma sintering technique was used to fabricate the WC-Co-Al2 O3 nanocomposites. Experimental results show that the use of A12O3 nanoparticles as dispersions to reinforce WC-Co composites can increase the hardness, especially the transverse rupture strength of the WC-Co hardmetal. With addition of 0.5 percent(mass fraction) Al_2O_3 nanoparticles, the spark plasma sintered WC-7Co-0. 5Al_2O_3 nanocomposites exhibit hardness of 21. 22 GPa and transverse rupture strength of 3 548 MPa. The fracture surface of the WC-7Co-0. 5A.l_2O_3 nanocomposites mainly fracture with transcrystalline rupture mode. The reinforcing mechanism is maybe related to the hindrance effect of microcracks propagation and the pinning effect for the dislocations movement, as well as the residual compressive strength due to the A12O3 nanoparticles doped.