Production of Nanocomposite Tungsten Carbide Buttons by Mixing with Co and ZrO2 Nanopowders

Abstract

The production of nanocomposite tungsten carbide buttons was studied. Using the mechanically induced solid-state mixing technique, the nanopowders were mixed with Cobalt (Co) and Zirconium Oxide (ZrO2). During the consolidation and manufacturing process, the nanocrystalline characteristics of the nanocomposite were improved by replacing Co with ZrO2-2 mol% yttria (YO3), and the average grain size was reduced to 23-49µm. With the advent of fast sintering techniques and the synthesis of nanocomposites from the consolidation of nanocomposite powders, full dense buttons with outstanding properties were produced. These buttons have a very high nano hardness value (24.41GPa) and a low Young's modulus (E) value (332.02 GPa).