Changes in constituents and FeAl composition with oxygen content in WC–FeAl composites

Abstract This paper addressed on the changes in constituents and FeAl compositions by oxidation in WC–FeAl composite — one of the alternative materials of WC–Co hard material. Two kinds of WC–FeAl samples having different oxygen contents were obtained by controlling the powder preparation processes. Fe 3 W 3 C and various oxides including α-Al 2 O 3 were present as semi-products in the sample of higher oxygen content whereas AlFe 3 C 0.5 and slight amount of α-Al 2 O 3 were present in the sample of lower oxygen content. The composition of FeAl phases depended on the oxygen content; the ratio of Fe in the FeAl phases was larger in the composite of higher oxygen content. It was found that the oxygen content strongly influenced the constituents and FeAl composition, which linked with WC grain growth in WC–FeAl composites.