Effect of oxygen content in WC-FeAl powders on microstructure and mechanical properties of sintered composites fabricated by pulse current sintering technique

Abstract

The effect of oxygen content in WC-FeAl powder is examined on mechanical properties of the sintered composites. The oxygen content is varied by controlling the milling and/or drying processes of the WC-FeAl mixed powder. The WC-FeAl composites are obtained by sintering the mixed powders with the pulse current sintering technique. Transverse rupture strength is improved by reducing the oxygen content in the mixed powder whereas the difference of microstructure and composition is not observed clearly. Some results suggest that oxidation of FeAl during the preparation of the WC-FeAl mixed powder affects the mechanical properties of WC-FeAl products. It is concluded that oxygen content is very important for controlling the mechanical properties of WC-FeAl products.