Sintering WC-8Co cemented carbides at lower temperature and pressure

The WC-8Co cemented carbides were sintered at low temperature and pressure. The influences of sintering temperature and pressure on the microstructure and properties of the cemented carbides were investigated. Results showed that with the increase of sintering temperature, the quantity of pores decreases, the grain size and density of the cemented carbides increase simultaneously. The hardness and bending strength of the cemented carbides are improved with the increase of density. When the sintering temperature is above 1280°C, the sintering method of the cemented carbides is liquid-phase sintering. The improvement of density is contributed to the sintering pressure. When the sintering temperature is 1300°C and the sintering pressure is 5 MPa, the density, hardness and bending strength of the cemented carbides are 14. 61 g/cm³, 90.7 HRA and 1830 MPa, respectively.