Microstructure and properties of spark plasma sintered WC–Cu–based in situ composites containing graphite

Microstructure and properties of spark plasma sintered WC–Cu–based in situ composites containing graphite Full article

Journal

International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials
ISSN: 0263-4368

Output data

Year: 2026, Volume: 138, Article number : 107722, Pages count : DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2026.107722

Tags

Spark plasma sintering, Copper matrix composite, Graphite, Tungsten carbide, Mechanical milling

Authors

Vidyuk Tomila M. ^1,2 , Dudina Dina V. ^1,3 , Gavrilov Alexander I. ¹ , Ukhina Arina V. ¹ , Shikalov Vladislav S. ² , Batraev Igor S. ³ , Usynin Sergey Yu. ² , Bokhonov Boris B. ¹

Affiliations

1	Institute of Solid State Chemistry and Mechanochemistry SB RAS, Kutateladze Str. 18, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
2	Khristianovich Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics SB RAS, Institutskaya Str. 4/1, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
3	Lavrentyev Institute of Hydrodynamics SB RAS, Lavrentyev Ave. 15, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia

In this study, in situ WC–Cu–based composites containing graphite were fabricated from a mixture of W, C (graphite) and Cu powders by high-energy mechanical milling and subsequent reactive spark plasma sintering (SPS). The synthesis of the carbides occurred during the SPS stage. In order to investigate the effect of graphite concentration on the structure and properties of the composites, the W–C(graphite)–Cu mixtures with three different molar ratios of elements (1:1:3, 1:1.3:3 and 1:1.7:3) were prepared. The graphite not converted into carbides remained unreacted in the sintered compacts. The combination of mechanical milling and SPS resulted in the formation of unconventional microstructures. The Cu-rich regions of re-solidified material are located between the composite areas, in which the WC and W2C particles are distributed uniformly. As the concentration of graphite was increased, the hardness and electrical conductivity of the composites decreased. The concentration of graphite in the composites influenced the morphology of the worn surfaces formed under dry sliding conditions. The WC–W2C–Cu-graphite composite (processing conditions: W–C(graphite)–3Cu mixture, 15 min of milling, SPS at 980 ◦C) shows an attractive combination of properties: a hardness of 250 HV, an electrical conductivity of 25% of the International Annealed Copper Standard, a residual porosity of less than 5%, a coefficient of friction of 0.58 in a pair with a WC-6Co ball, and a specific wear rate of 0.6 × 10− 5 mm3 N− 1 m− 1 .

Vidyuk T.M. , Dudina D.V. , Gavrilov A.I. , Ukhina A.V. , Shikalov V.S. , Batraev I.S. , Usynin S.Y. , Bokhonov B.B.
Microstructure and properties of spark plasma sintered WC–Cu–based in situ composites containing graphite
International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials. 2026. V.138. 107722 . DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2026.107722 WOS Scopus OpenAlex

Submitted:	Dec 12, 2025
Accepted:	Feb 3, 2026
Published online:	Feb 5, 2026

≡ Web of science:	WOS:001688942900001
≡ Scopus:	2-s2.0-105029361748
≡ OpenAlex:	W7127892229