Effect of sintering temperature on microstructure and properties of W-40vol%ZrC

Abstract:

W-40vol%ZrC composites was prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) and ordinary consolidation sintering respectively. The relative density, mechanical properties and microstructure were studied. The resules show that high relative density, high strength and fine grains structure can be achieved by SPS which is reduced 200℃ to the ordinary consolidation sintering. The relative density, hardness, bending strength of W-40vol%ZrC composites sintering at 1600℃ was 98.56%, HRA78.1 and 501MPa respectively. The average grain sizes of W and ZrC was 3μm and 1.5μm. O-W40ZrC had the optimun value sintering at 1860℃, the relative of density, hardness and bending strength was 98.95%, HRA77.3 and 726MPa. The average grain sizes of W and ZrC was 10μm and 4.5μm. Compared with ordinary consolidation sintering, the tungsten grain is more fine and ZrC particles is much more well-distributed prepared by spark plasma sintering, and the fine grains has a beneficical effect on fracture process.