Abstract Strong, hard, impact-resistant bodies comprising tungsten carbide bonded with from 3 to 25% by weight of heterogeneous cobalt-tungsten solid-solution alloy, useful as cutting tools, are prepared by heating an intimately mixed cobalt/tungsten carbide powder to a temperature above 1000* C and consolidating the powder to a density of at least 98% of its theoretical density, having either. 1. MIXED A CARBON-RICH AND A CARBON-DEFICIENT POWDER TOGETHER PRIOR TO CONSOLIDATION TO PRODUCE A NON-HOMOGENEOUS BINDER; 2. ADDED FREE CARBON TO A CARBON-DEFICIENT POWDER TO PRODUCE LOCAL AREAS WHERE TUNGSTEN IS REMOVED FROM THE BINDER ALLOY AS TUNGSTEN CARBIDE; OR 3. ALLOWED A PORTION OF THE CARBON IN THE TUNGSTEN CARBIDE TO OXIDIZE DURING CONSOLIDATION TO PRODUCE AREAS IN THE BINDER PHASE WHICH ARE THEN CARBON DEFICIENT AND HIGH IN TUNGSTEN.
MIXED A CARBON-RICH AND A CARBON-DEFICIENT POWDER TOGETHER PRIOR TO CONSOLIDATION TO PRODUCE A NON-HOMOGENEOUS BINDER;
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
16 words
MIXED A CARBON-RICH AND A CARBON-DEFICIENT POWDER TOGETHER PRIOR TO CONSOLIDATION TO PRODUCE A NON-HOMOGENEOUS BINDER;
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
ADDED FREE CARBON TO A CARBON-DEFICIENT POWDER TO PRODUCE LOCAL AREAS WHERE TUNGSTEN IS REMOVED FROM THE BINDER ALLOY AS TUNGSTEN CARBIDE; OR
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
ADDED FREE CARBON TO A CARBON-DEFICIENT POWDER TO PRODUCE LOCAL AREAS WHERE TUNGSTEN IS REMOVED FROM THE BINDER ALLOY AS TUNGSTEN CARBIDE; OR
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A dense body of claim 1 bonded with from 8 to 12% by weight of heterogeneous cobalt-tungsten alloy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A dense body of claim 1 in which the tungsten carbide is present as grains having an average diameter of less than 2 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
ALLOWED A PORTION OF THE CARBON IN THE TUNGSTEN CARBIDE TO OXIDIZE DURING CONSOLIDATION TO PRODUCE AREAS IN THE BINDER PHASE WHICH ARE THEN CARBON DEFICIENT AND HIGH IN TUNGSTEN.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
ALLOWED A PORTION OF THE CARBON IN THE TUNGSTEN CARBIDE TO OXIDIZE DURING CONSOLIDATION TO PRODUCE AREAS IN THE BINDER PHASE WHICH ARE THEN CARBON DEFICIENT AND HIGH IN TUNGSTEN.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A dense body of claim 1 in which the tungsten carbide is present as grains having an average diameter of less than 1 micron.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A dense body of claim 2 in which the tungsten carbide is present as grains having an average diameter of less than 2 microns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A dense body of claim 2 in which the tungsten carbide is present as grains having an average diameter of less than 1 micron, and the body has a density in excess of 99% of its theoretical density.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tool for shaping metal having a cutting edge of a composition of claim 1.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tool for shaping metal having a cutting edge of a composition of claim 6.