Microstructure and properties of spark plasma sintered WC–Cu–based in situ composites containing graphite

Key Points

• Improved properties observed in WC–Cu composites containing graphite, leading to better material performance.
• The specific enhancement in properties was tied to the unique microstructure achieved through spark plasma sintering.
• Analysis focused on the effects of the in situ formation of graphite within the composites during synthesis.
• Findings highlight that these composite materials may offer superior mechanical properties for various applications.