Zirconium Carbide–Tungsten Cermets Prepared by <i>In Situ</i> Reaction Sintering

Abstract

Zirconium carbide–tungsten (ZrC–W) cermets were prepared by a novel in situ reaction sintering process. Compacted stoichiometric zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ) and tungsten carbide (WC) powders were heated to 2100°C, which produced cermets with 35 vol% ZrC and 65 vol% W consisting of an interpenetrating‐type microstructure with a relative density of ∼95%. The cermets had an elastic modulus of 274 GPa, a fracture toughness of 8.3 MPa·m 1/2 , and a flexural strength of 402 MPa. The ZrC content could be increased by adding excess ZrC or ZrO 2 and carbon to the precursors, which increased the density to &gt;98%. The solid‐state reaction between WC and ZrO 2 and W–ZrC solid solution were also studied thermodynamically and experimentally.