XRD Investigation of Tungsten Carbide Nanoparticles Prepared by Displacement Reaction Technique

The unique properties of nanoparticles can be attributed to the high surface to volume ratio and quantum-size effect or quantum confinement effect. When particles approach the nano meter size range, their electronic and photonic properties can be significantly modified as a result of the absence of a few atoms in the lattice and the resulting relaxation of the lattice structure. Tungsten Carbide (WC) is one of the hardest materials used in cutting tool industry and as coating material. Cemented tungsten carbides are commercially one of the oldest and most successful powder metallurgy products. These composites are essentially aggregates of particles of tungsten carbide bonded with cobalt metal via liquid-phase sintering. The properties of these materials are derived from those of constituents-namely, the hard and brittle carbide and the softer, more ductile. The role of cobalt in cemented carbides is to provide a ductile bonding matrix for tungsten carbide particles. Cobalt is used as a bonding matrix because its wetting or capillary action during liquid phase sintering allows the achievement of high densities. High hardness and better toughness can be obtained by synthesizing particles of tungsten carbide in nano-dimensions. Nano-grained WC/Co composites have potential to replace standard materials for tools and dies, and wear parts because of their increased hardness and toughness. By means of particle size reduction, the fracture toughness and wear resistance of WC/Co can be increased significantly. In the present investigation, tungsten carbide nanoparticles synthesised by displacement reaction technique, are to be characterized in powder form by X-Ray diffraction method. The details of X-ray analysis will provide the information that whether the particles which are synthesized are with in the nano size range or not.