Investigation of binderless WC–TiC–Cr3C2 hard materials prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS)

Binderless TiC–WC–Cr 3 C 2 hard materials with different compositions were prepared by FAST (field-assisted sintering technique) and by SPS from mixtures of TiC, WC and Cr 3 C 2 . The effect of the microstructure on the properties was evaluated in as-densified materials and materials heat treated at 1900 °C. The mechanical properties were determined and the microstructures were characterised using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. A cubic (Ti, W, Cr)C phase was found to form during sintering. Hardness values of up to 23 GPa were observed. For the TiC-rich materials annealing did not have a significant effect on the hardness, but in the case of the WC-rich materials it resulted in a reduction in the hardness due to pore formation.