The rapid sintering of nanostructured TiC and WC hard materials in a short time was investigated with high-frequency induction heating sintering process. The advantage of this process is that it allows very quick densification to near theoretical density and prohibition of grain growth in nanostructured materials. A dense nanostructured TiC and WC hard material with a relative density of up to 99% was produced with simultaneous application of 80 MPa pressure and induced current of output of total power capacity (15 kW) within one min. The sintering behavior, grain size and mechanical properties of binderless TiC and WC were investigated.

Keywords: Sintering, Powder metallurgy, Nanostructured materials, Fracture toughness, Hardness