- [English]
- Effect of Bimodal WC Particle Size Distribution on the Mechanical Properties of WC–Mo2C–Co Cemented Carbides
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Jinwoo Seok, Jong Tae Kim, Juree Jung, Bin Lee, Junhee Han, Leeseung Kang
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J Powder Mater. 2026;33(1):13-21. Published online February 28, 2026
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.4150/jpm.2025.00500
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 Abstract
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- In this study, the influence of bimodal WC particle size design on the microstructure and mechanical properties of WC–27 wt.% Mo₂C–10 wt.% Co cemented carbides was systematically investigated. Bimodal hard-phase designs were realized by combining ultrafine WC (300 nm) and coarse WC (1.8 μm) at various ratios, followed by consolidation via spark plasma sintering (SPS). During sintering, Mo₂C preferentially dissolved into the Co-rich liquid phase due to its higher solubility than WC, forming a Co–Mo–C liquid. During sintering progresses, ultrafine WC selectively dissolved owing to its high interfacial energy, gradually transforming the liquid composition into a Co–Mo–W–C system. Owing to the short holding time and rapid cooling rate of SPS, the η-phase (M₆C) formed during sintering remained metastable. Meanwhile, selective dissolution–reprecipitation resulted in the formation of Mo₂C-based core–rim structures with W enrichment in the rim region as (Mo, W)₂C. As the fraction of ultrafine WC increased, the hardness increased from 1769 to 1997 kgf/mm2, whereas the fracture toughness exhibited an insignificant difference from 6.56 to 6.65 MPa•m¹ᐟ². Fracture behavior analysis revealed that crack deflection and crack bridging occurred at the Mo₂C core–rim interfaces, effectively suppressing straight crack propagation. These results demonstrate that the introduction of ultrafine WC plays a dominant role in enhancing mechanical performance, and that bimodal WC design combined with Mo₂C addition is a highly effective strategy for developing high-performance cemented carbides for machining
- [Korean]
- Optimization of Mechanical Properties in WC–Mo₂C–Co Cemented Carbides via Dual Hard-Phase Based Heterogeneous Microstructure Design
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Jinwoo Seok, Jong Tae Kim, Juree Jung, SongYi Kim, Bin Lee, Junhee Han, Leeseung Kang
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J Powder Mater. 2025;32(5):428-436. Published online October 31, 2025
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.4150/jpm.2025.00297
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747
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Abstract
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- WC–Mo₂C–Co cemented carbides were fabricated to investigate the effects of Mo₂C addition on microstructure and mechanical properties. Dual hard-phase design using WC and Mo₂C was employed to optimize the balance between hardness and toughness. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) was conducted at various temperatures after ball milling, and 1300 °C for 5 min was identified as the optimized sintering condition, achieving complete densification and phase stability. The addition of Mo₂C refined the microstructure by suppressing abnormal WC grain growth through preferential dissolution of Mo₂C into the Co binder. Hardness increased up to 1769 Hv30 due to grain refinement and solid-solution strengthening, while promoted η-phase formation and reduced fracture toughness.The 27Mo₂C composition exhibited the most balanced combination of hardness and toughness. These results demonstrate that controlled Mo₂C addition enables dual hard-phase strengthening and microstructure optimization in WC–Mo₂C–Co carbides for advanced cutting and forming applications.
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Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by  - Effect of Bimodal WC Particle Size Distribution on the Mechanical Properties of WC–Mo2C–Co Cemented Carbides
Jinwoo Seok, Jong Tae Kim, Juree Jung, Bin Lee, Junhee Han, Leeseung Kang
Journal of Powder Materials.2026; 33(1): 13. CrossRef
- [Korean]
- Preparation and Refinement Behavior of (Hf-Ti-Ta-Zr-Nb)C High-Entropy Carbide Powders by Ultra High Energy Ball Milling Process
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Junwoo Song, Junhee Han, Song-Yi Kim, Jinwoo Seok, Hyoseop Kim
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J Powder Mater. 2022;29(1):34-40. Published online February 1, 2022
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.4150/KPMI.2022.29.1.34
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1,550
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3
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Abstract
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Recently, high-entropy carbides have attracted considerable attention owing to their excellent physical and chemical properties such as high hardness, fracture toughness, and conductivity. However, as an emerging class of novel materials, the synthesis methods, performance, and applications of high-entropy carbides have ample scope for further development. In this study, equiatomic (Hf-Ti-Ta-Zr-Nb)C high-entropy carbide powders have been prepared by an ultrahigh- energy ball-milling (UHEBM) process with different milling times (1, 5, 15, 30, and 60 min). Further, their refinement behavior and high-entropy synthesis potential have been investigated. With an increase in the milling time, the particle size rapidly reduces (under sub-micrometer size) and homogeneous mixing of the prepared powder is observed. The distortions in the crystal lattice, which occur as a result of the refinement process and the multicomponent effect, are found to improve the sintering, thereby notably enhancing the formation of a single-phase solid solution (high-entropy). Herein, we present a procedure for the bulk synthesis of highly pure, dense, and uniform FCC single-phase (Fm3m crystal structure) (Hf-Ti-Ta-Zr-Nb)C high-entropy carbide using a milling time of 60 min and a sintering temperature of 1,600°C. -
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by - Controlling Particle Size of Recycled Copper Oxide Powder for Copper Thermite Welding Characteristics
Hansung Lee, Minsu Kim, Byungmin Ahn
journal of Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute.2023; 30(4): 332. CrossRef
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