Nanostructured Sintered WC–Co Hard Metals (Review)

Production processes for fine powders of tungsten, tungsten carbide, and WC–Co and sintering methods for nanosized WC–Co hard metals are reviewed. The properties, structure, and applications of nanosized WC–Co hard metals described in the literature are analyzed. It is established that, regardless of the process, the mandatory requirements for the production of fine hard metals are: (i) purity of starting materials, (ii) precise compliance with the process procedure, and (iii) careful control at all production stages, which exclude unwanted phases and defects in the structure.