Abstract
The purpose of this paper was to investigate the influence of WC as a sintering aid on the sinterability and mechanical characteristics of TiC. For this purpose, two specimens, namely TiC-5 vol% WC and monolithic TiC, were manufactured using the hot-pressing route at 2000 °C for 2 h under 50 MPa. The addition of WC uplifted the sintering behavior of TiC. The XRD and microscopical evaluations revealed the precipitation of graphitized carbon in the TiC matrix. The results also manifested the complete dissolution of WC in the matrix, forming the (Ti,W)C solid solution. The addition of WC improved the Vickers hardness and flexural strength of TiC by ~12% and ~20%, respectively. Grain size, remaining porosity, and composition of the matrix were identified as the essential factors in boosting the mechanical properties of the TiC-WC specimen compared to the monolithic TiC.