A Study of the Impact of Graphite on the Kinetics of SPS in Nano- and Submicron WC-10%Co Powder Compositions

This study investigates the impact of carbon on kinetics spark plasma sintering (SPS) nano- and submicron powders WC-10 wt.%Co. Carbon, in form graphite, was introduced into by mixing. The activation energy solid-phase determined for conditions isothermal continuous heating. It has been demonstrated that increasing content leads to a decrease fraction ?-phase particles shift shrinkage curve towards lower heating temperatures. established graphite no significant effect SPS “mid-range” temperatures, QS(I). value QS(I) is close grain-boundary diffusion cobalt. energy, QS(II), “higher-range” temperatures due concentration tungsten atoms cobalt-based ?-phase. fine-grained WC-Co hard alloys limited intensity creep cobalt (Coble creep).