Abstract

The microstructure evolution during sintering of a compact being composed of three layers of (WC-15%Co)/Fe powder mixture with different Fe contents has been observed. The Fe contents in the respective (WC-15%Co)/Fe layers were varied by 20%. 50%, and 90% in sequence by volume from a top layer to a bot- tom layer. The sintering temperatures and times were varied from 1100°C to 1250°C and from 1 h to 4 h, The compact layer was not densified below 1200°C in 4 h. Appropriate sintering temperature and time conditions for making a multi-layered hard metal compact were determined as 1250°C and 3 h, respectively.