Microstructure Evolution and Hardness Improvement of WC-Co Composites Sintered with Fe Substituting Part of Co Binder

WC-13Co (wt.%) composite with Fe added was prepared by pressureless sintering, and its microstructure mechanical properties were analyzed X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) Vickers hardness tester. The effect of C content on the eta phase, binder grain size porosity, as well in W-Co-Fe-C system, discussed quantitatively. position lattice composites is clarified. When 2%–4% added, existes both phase low-carbon phase. In occupies Co uniformly structure simple cubic when eutectic region. Differently from previous report that growth WC liquid severely limited, system increases 1.14 μm to 1.21 0 4%, which indicates behavior CoFe different Fe, but closer Co. sample 2% 1% has optimum matching toughness. Compared 979 HV30 without adding C, achieved 1071 HV30, increased 9.4% under conditions a slight increase fracture