A novel approach to fabricate WC reinforced WCu composites via MSC and infiltration method

WC reinforced W Cu composites have excellent wear resistance and high-temperature strength , and can replace conventional W Cu composites in special applications. In this work, W Cu composites with WC@W core-shell structure are fabricated through a novel microwave-heating salt-bath carbonization (MSC) and infiltration method, using graphite as the carbon source. The MSC behavior of W particles and the influence of the graphite content on the microstructure and properties of the W Cu composites are investigated. The results show that WC is successfully coated on the surface of W particles by the MSC method. The addition of an appropriate amount of graphite to W powders can improve the high-temperature mechanical properties and wear resistance of the W Cu composites. Compared with conventional W Cu composites, the W Cu composites with 0.9 wt% graphite have higher thermal conductivity (245 W/(m·K)), higher hardness (293.8 HV), higher bending strength (1089.4 MPa), and higher compressive strength (410 MPa| 600 °C ). The addition of graphite also significantly improved the wear resistance of the W Cu composites. The average coefficient of friction (CoF) and wear rates (WR) of WCu9 composites are 0.51 and 5.37 × 10 −6  mm 3  N −1  m −1 , respectively. The WC reinforced W Cu composites prepared in this work provide an excellent approach to improve the wear resistance and high-temperature properties of guide plates in guide devices.