Role of Tungsten Carbide Reinforcement on Alumina Matrix Composites Fabricated by Powder Injection Moulding

Abstract:

In this work, properties of tungsten carbide (WC) particulate reinforced alumina matrix composites fabricated by powder injection moulding (PIM) technology were reported. The 90 wt% of Al₂O₃ and 10 wt% of WC powders were mixed with a composite binder, composed of 85 wt% polyethylene glycol (PEG) and 15 wt% polyvinyl butyral (PVB). Feedstocks of alumina and alumina-tungsten carbide composites having powder loading from 44 to 52 vol% were prepared and injected into a mould of rectangular shape. The binders in the mouldings were leached by water and then thermally debinded prior to sintering at 1600 °C for 2 hours in argon atmosphere. Strength, Density, hardness and density of the alumina and alumina composites’ bodies were compared and reported. It was found that the properties of sintered specimens, both Al₂O₃ and Al₂O₃/WC composites, increased with increasing powder loadings. The properties enhancement was also presented in the WC reinforced alumina composites. The composite of 52 vol% powder loading had flexural strength and hardness of 253.8 MPa and 12.5 GPa, respectively.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 608)
• Pages: 230-234
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.608.230
• Online since: April 2014
• Authors: Nutthita Chuankrerkkul*, Wantanee Buggakupta, Juthathep Surawatthana
• Keywords: Alumina-Tungsten Carbide, Poly(vinyl butyral), Polyethylene Glycol, Powder Injection Moulding

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