Abstract: A mechanochemical process for producing fine WC/Co composite powder which is so small in WC grain size and in mean free path, and contains such a uniform distribution of WC and Co that its hard metal is superior in strength, compressive strength, TRS and wear resistance and considerably free of impurities. The method comprises the steps of drying an ammonium metatungstate--Co(NO.sub.3).sub.2 solution in a spray dry manner to give initial powder of porous spheroids or in a common manner to give a cake of initial powder, removing the salts and humidity from the initial powder by a thermal treatment, mixing and milling the desalted initial powder with carbon black, and subjecting the mixed powder to reduction/carburization in a reactor.

Abstract: A method for producing high density and ultrafine W/Cu bulk material by a mechano-chemical process is disclosed. In the method of this invention, metal salts as start materials are spray-dried and prepare W--Cu precursor powder having uniformly-dispersed tungsten and copper components. The W--Cu precursor powder in turn is subjected to a desalting and milling process, thus preparing W--Cu oxide composite powder. Thereafter, the W--Cu oxide composite powder may be formed into a formed green body prior to reducing and sintering under hydrogen atmosphere.