INFLUENCE OF PROCESSING PARAMETERS ON THE FORMATION OF WC-CO NANOCOMPOSITE POWDER USING A POLYMER AS CARBON SOURCE

Influences of processing parameters on the formation of WC-Co nanocomp osite powder employing polyacrylonitrile as a carbon source have been investigated systematically. The processing parameters investigated in clude firing time and temperature, addition of a small quantity of cob alt acetate initially as a catalyst, and the sample quantity for a giv en firing scheme. The investigation provides basic information for opt imizing processing parameters to obtain finer WC-Co nanocomposite powd ers with less unwanted phases. Based on the information obtained from systematic investigation, an improved processing procedure is develope d, which can avoid some shortcomings of our previously reported proced ure. However, the final product still has some undecomposed polymer or uncombined carbon, which needs to be eliminated before the present sy nthesis route becomes commercially feasible. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevi er Science Limited