Consolidation and Characterisation of Hard Metal Powders Milled under Dichloromethane

This work presents the development of a safer processing route for hard metals. Traditional processing of fine particles under organic solvents presents significant explosion risks. The milling under dichloromethane (DCM) reduces the risks associated with fire hazards. After milling and drying, the samples have been sintered in an industrial sintering furnace under a vacuum at 1380°C. The materials’ characterisation has been done by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, particle size analysis, optical microscopy, and by magnetic measurements. The present work results reveal the powders’ appropriate properties after milling and drying and the desired biphasic (Co-WC) phases obtained after sintering, thus proving the feasibility of such a route, therefore the diminishing of specific fire hazards.

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1. This paper was supported by the project POCU/380/6/13/123927 - ANTREDOC, “Entrepreneurial competencies and excellence research in doctoral and postdoctoral study programs” co-funded from the European Social Fund through the Human Capital Operational Program 2014-2020. Besides this, the infrastructure available from the European Development Fund and the Romanian Government through the Competitiveness Operational Programme 2014-2020, project ID P 34 466, MySMIS code 121349, contract no.5/05.06.2018 is highly acknowledged.

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2. Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MEiN, umowa nr SONP/SP/546092/2022 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki i promocja sportu (2022-2023).