Enhancing mechanical properties of WC-5Ni hardmetals via microwave sintering: Role of Mo, Si, Ti, and V additives in microstructure evolution and performance optimization

Key Points

• Enhanced mechanical properties were achieved through a specific microwave sintering process, greatly improving durability.
• The study revealed a significant increase in hardness and toughness metrics, influenced by the inclusion of Mo, Si, Ti, and V additives.
• Assessment involved microwave sintering techniques to evaluate the microstructure evolution of WC-5Ni hardmetals across different additive compositions.
• These findings indicate potential for optimization in hardmetals, emphasizing the effectiveness of various additive combinations.