Field-assisted sintering of tungsten-, tantalum-, and tungsten carbide-base materials

Sintering of tantalum-, tungsten-, and tungsten carbide (WC)-base materials was investigated utilizing field assisted sintering technology (FAST). The results show that close to pore-free dense sintered products can be obtained at a relatively low temperature without the aid of additives. Limited grain growth was observed in binderless WC but significant grain growth occurred in tantalum and tungsten. WC was beneficial as a sintering additive in tantalum and tungsten; it lowered the sintering temperature, reduced the sintered grain ! size, and increasing hardness. WC-base materials sintered by FAST exhibited a lower sintering temperature and higher hardness compared with counterpart materials sintered by conventional methods. Bimodal WC-Co materials were also developed by FAST and showed superior mechanical properties.