Effect of FeAl on Mechanical Properties and Consolidation of Nanostructured (W,Ti)C by the High Frequency Induction Heating

In the case of cemented (W,Ti)C, Ni or Co is added as a binder for the formation of composite structures. However, the high cost and the low hardness of Ni or Co, and the low corrosion resistance of the (W,Ti)C-Ni and (W,Ti)C-Co cermets have generated interest in recent years for alternative binder phases. In this study, FeAl was used as a novel binder and consolidated by the high frequency induction heated sintering (HFIHS) method. The method was found to enable not only the rapid densification but also the inhibition of grain growth preserving the nanoscale microstructure. Highly dense (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C-FeAl with a relative density of up to 99% was obtained within 3 min by FIFTHS under a pressure of 80 MPa. The addition of FeAl to (W,Ti)C enhanced the toughness without great decrease of hardness due to crack deflection and nano structured phase.