Synthesis of Wc-Co Nanocomposites Using Polymer as Carbon Source

Ceramic-metal composites such as WC-Co are attractive for cutting-tool applications as they have high hardness, chemical inertness and resistance to heat. The properties and performance of these composites can be enhanced by keeping the size of the components on a nanometer scale. Synthesis of WC-Co nanocomposites generally involves gas-phase carburization. We have developed a novel approach in which a polymer precursor such as polyacrylonitrile serves as an in situ source for carbon. The WC-Co nanocomposites formed are characterized by x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The synthesis and processing conditions such as firing temperature, time and atmosphere play a critical role in obtaining phase-pure products.