Tungsten Carbide Matrix Nanocomposite

Abstract

Tungsten carbide is one of the ceramic materials characterized by high hardness. It has many uses in manufacturing, including cutting tools, die inserts and other parts that need materials with high mechanical wear resistance. In this study, tungsten carbide was reinforced with alumina and different ratios of graphene to improve its mechanical properties. The BSE mode used the electronic imaging device (SEM) to study the powders and manufactured sample's microstructure. The densification, hardness, and toughness of fabricated specimens were evaluated. The results proved that the density of samples was decreased by adding alumina and graphene due to their low density. The samples' toughness was improved due to the addition of nickel, where no cracks were established from the hardness test. The hardness was increased by adding 2.5 wt % Al2O3 and different percentages of graphene up to 0.9 wt %.