Microwave Sintering of Electroless Ni Plated WC Powders

Abstract

Nickel matrix reinforced with WC has been manufactured by microwave sintering at various temperatures. A uniform nickel layer on WC powders was deposited prior to sintering using electroless plating technique, allowing close surface contact than can be achieved using conventional methods such as mechanical alloying. The reactivity between WC powders to form compounds is controlled through Ni layer existing on the starting powders. A composite consisting of quaternary additions, a ceramic phase, WC, within a matrix of Ni WC and etc., has been prepared at the temperature range 500°C - 900°C under Ar shroud. XRD (X-Ray diffraction, SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), compressive testing and hardness measurements were employed to characterize the properties of the specimens. Experimental results carried out for 900°C suggest that the best properties as σmax and Vikers Hardness (HV) were obtained at 900°C and the microwave sintering of electroless Ni plated WC powders can be used to produce ceramic reinforced Nickel composites.

 

Key Words: Microwave sintering, Powder metallurgy, Ceramic-Metal composites and electroless Nickel

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