Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Tungsten Carbide-Colbalt Powders for Tools and Dies

切削工具是金属、聚合物和先进材料（如金属间化合物和所有类型的复合材料）制造业务的支柱。最近，制造业的动力使许多海外公司更加关注高效的制造方法。切削刀具的硬度和高温强度随着WC粒度的减小和硬质第二相在基体中的分散程度的提高而提高。碳化钨晶粒的邻近度对刀具的性能也起着重要的作用。因此，人们提出了多种方法来减小颗粒尺寸，包括钨和钴的共沉淀以及随后的渗碳。然而，这些技术导致形成脆性（相）复合碳化物，从而导致较差的机械性能。为了解决这些问题，Materials Modification Inc.提出了一种新技术的协同组合，可用于定制刀具刀片的性能，从而消除WC颗粒之间的连续性、晶界处存在的轻元素以及基体分布不均匀等问题。第一阶段将专注于合成、巩固和评估性能，而第二阶段将专注于进一步的工艺、优化、原型开发、现场评估以及与主要制造商协调该技术的商业化。

Cutting tools form the backbone of manufacturing operations for metals, polymers, and advanced materials such as intermetallics and composites of all types. Recently, the impetus for manufacturing has increased the focus of many overseas companies on efficient methods of manufacturing. Hardness and high-temperature strength of the cutting tools increase with a decrease in WC particle size and improved dispersion of the hard second phase in the matrix. Contiguity of the tungsten carbide grains also plays an important role in the tools' performance. Hence, a variety of methods have been proposed to decrease the particle size including coprecipitation of tungsten and cobalt and subsequent carburization. However, these techniques result in the formation of embrittling (-phase complex carbide thereby resulting in inferior mechanical properties. In order to solve these problems, Materials Modification Inc., proposes the use of a synergistic combination of novel technologies that can be used to tailor properties in cutting tool inserts so that several of the problems such as contiguity between WC particles, presence of light elements at grain boundaries, and non-uniform matrix distribution will be eliminated. Phase I will concentrate on synthesis, consolidation, and evaluation of properties while Phase II will focus on further process, optimization, prototype development, field evaluation, and coordination with major manufacturers for commercialization of this technology.