Microwave Reaction Sintering of Tungsten Carbide Cobalt Hardmetals

Microwave reaction sintering of tungsten- carbon-, cobalt mixtures is described as a method that combines the liquid phase reaction sintering of tungsten carbide cobalt hardmetals with the enhanced densification behavior of hardmetals in the microwave field. Starting with green parts composed of W-, Co- powder, soot as carbon source and with varying amount of additives a dense and extremely fine grained hardmetal can be obtained in one pressureless microwave reaction sintering step. By this method hardmetals with improved mechanical properties can be obtained in a drastically simplified processing cycle, without time consuming steps such as carburizing and milling.