Preparation and characterization of high hard and high tough ultrafine WC ceramics containing hybrid graphene and SiC nanowire

Abstract

The aggregation of low-dimensional nanofillers in the host ceramic matrix significantly discounted their reinforcing efficiency. Herein, employing two-dimensional graphene (G) and one-dimensional SiC nanowire (SiC_nw), WC-G-SiC_nw ceramic composites were prepared through spark plasma sintering. The effects of sintering temperature, soaking time and pressure on the mechanical properties of the WC-based composites were reported. The influence of graphene and SiC_nw on the densification, microstructure and mechanical properties of the ceramic composites were investigated. The experimental results demonstrated that excellent mechanical properties were achieved for WC-0.15 wt.% G–0.45 wt.% SiC_nw prepared through sintering at 1900 °C for 15 min holding time and 60 MPa pressure, with a hardness of 25.6 GPa, a flexural strength of 1499 MPa and a fracture toughness of 11.6 MPa·m^1/2. The toughening mechanisms were mainly the combination of G and SiC_nw induced crack deflection, bridging and pullout. This study provided a simple toughening method in developing high-performance ceramic composites.

Keywords

WC ceramics / graphene / SiC nanowire / mechanical properties / toughening

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