Structure and properties of tungsten carbide obtained by electric-discharge sintering of a disperse powder

Samples of highly dispersed tungsten carbide powders of various origins were obtained by electrical-discharge sintering. The specimens were 8 mm in diameter, 5 mm in height and had a grain size of 1 µm, density 15.5–15.8 g/cm3, hardness 92–93 HRA, and cracking resistance 6–8 MPa·m1/2. The structure and phase composition of the sintered samples was not observed to change appreciably from those of the initial powder. The salient features of electrical-discharge sintering of tungsten carbide power are described.