Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
Ceramic-metal composites such as WC-Co are attractive for cutting-toolapplications as they have high hardness, chemical inertness and resistanceto heat. The properties and performance of these composites can be enhancedby keeping the size of the components on a nanometer scale. Synthesis ofWC-Co nanocomposites generally involves gas-phase carburization. We havedeveloped a novel approach in which a polymer precursor such aspolyacrylonitrile serves as an in situ source for carbon.The WC-Co nanocomposites formed are characterized by x-ray diffraction andelectron microscopy. The synthesis and processing conditions such as firingtemperature, time and atmosphere play a critical role in obtainingphase-pure products.