On the formation of WC1−x in nanocrystalline cemented carbides

In contrast to the general assumption that the WC1−x phase is stable only at temperatures above 2500°C, in the present study WC1−x is discovered to exist stably at room temperature in nanocrystalline cemented carbides. Based on characterization of the microstructure, crystallographic features and orientation relationships, the formation mechanism for the WC1−x phase in the nanocrystalline structure is proposed, and the conditions of the surface energy and composition are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]