Effect of co-doped additives on microstructure and mechanical properties of microwave-sintered WC-10Co cemented carbide tool materials

Microwave sintering is an energy-efficient technology of preparing materials. High-performance WC-10Co cemented carbide tool materials were fabricated by microwave sintering. The effects of co-doped additives of metal carbide Cr3C2, VC, Mo2C and rare earth oxide Y2O3 on microstructure and mechanical properties of WC-10Co tool materials were studied. Compared to the existing cemented carbides with single inhibitor or pure metal carbide, the microwave-sintered cemented carbide with co-doped rare earth elements and metal carbides had more excellent mechanical properties. The co-doped additives showed evident effect on grain growth inhibition. The WC-10Co-0.3Cr(3)C(2)-0.3VC-0.3Mo(2)C sintered at 1400 degrees C with the holding time of 10 min showed the best mechanical properties. Its grain size, relative density, Vickers hardness (HV30), fracture toughness and flexural strength were 0.26 +/- 0.04 mu m, 98.2 +/- 0.5%, 19.6 +/- 0.2 GPa, 16.9 +/- 1.0 MPa.m(1/2) and 1888.5 +/- 153.1 MPa, respectively.