Preparation and characterization of W@WCx composite powder by oxidation-vacuum carbonization process

In the present work, the W@WCx composite powder was successfully prepared through oxidation-vacuum carbonization process. Firstly, the acetone was used to oxidize W particles, leading to the formation of needle-like WO2.72 phase, which is uniformly distributed on the surface of the W particles (W@W2.72). Then through low-temperature vacuum carbonization of the W@W2.72 composite powder, the ultrafine WC and W2C particles generated on the surface of the W particles, and the W@WCx composite powder was obtained. Finally, the as-prepared W@WCx composite powder was used to fabricated W–Cu composite. •The needle-like WO2.72 was generated on the surface of W particles.•Ultrafine WC and W2C particles were obtained by carbonization of WO2.72.•The W–Cu composite was obtained successfully using W@WCx composite powder.