One step synthesis and consolidation of WC-10 vol.% Co hard material

Dense WC-10 vol.%Co composite was simultaneously synthesized with field-activated and pressure-assisted combustion synthesis (FAPACS) within several minutes in one step from elemental powders of W, C and Co. Combustion synthesis was carried out under the combined effect of an electric field and mechanical pressure. Under the application of 60MPa pressure and 3000A current on the reactants, the relative density of WC−10 vol.%Co composite was 98.4%. The fracture toughness and hardness of WC−10 vol.%Co were 8.6 MPa·m1/2 and 1900 kg/mm2, respectively.