Abstract: The present invention provides a method of gel-casting WC—Co cemented carbide powder, where the resulting gelled body can be of complex shape and has a high green density, a good homogeneity and sufficiently good mechanical properties for the gelled body to be demolded and dried without significant shape-distortions and cracking. The method relates to the forming of a gelled body through the gelling of an aqueous slurry of WC—Co cemented carbide powder with good dispersion characteristics, where the gelling is achieved by the temperature induced polymerization reaction between a monomer and a cross-linker, catalyzed by a free-radical initiator. By further subjecting the body to drying, heating, and sintering, a dense cemented carbide body is obtained.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for dispersing a powder mixture of at least one metal carbide powder and at least one cobalt powder in at least one apolar medium with at least one dispersant and, optionally, at least one wetting agent. According to the invention, the dispersant is an effective dispersant for both cobalt and metal carbide surfaces. The invention is particularly useful for powder mixtures with a fine grained cobalt powder and a relatively high cobalt content. The dispersant used is an amphiphilic compound with a branched copolymer structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of gel-casting WC—Co cemented carbide powder, where the resulting gelled body can be of complex shape and has a high green density, a good homogeneity and sufficiently good mechanical properties for the gelled body to be demolded and dried without significant shape-distortions and cracking. The method relates to the forming of a gelled body through the gelling of an aqueous slurry of WC—Co cemented carbide powder with good dispersion characteristics, where the gelling is achieved by the temperature induced polymerization reaction between a monomer and a cross-linker, catalyzed by a free-radical initiator. By further subjecting the body to drying, heating and sintering, a dense cemented carbide body is obtained.

Abstract: A procedure for making well dispersed suspensions containing mixtures of powders displaying a low viscosity which remain stable over an extended period of time includes suspensions prepared in aqueous and/or ethanolic media using a cationic polyelectrolyte at the inherent pH of the mixture. The method is particularly useful for making robust slurries for subsequent spray drying of free flowing granules to be used in the fabrication of cemented carbide or cermet bodies.

Abstract: A procedure for making well dispersed suspensions containing mixtures of powders displaying a low viscosity which remain stable over an extended period of time includes suspensions prepared in aqueous and/or ethanolic media using a cationic polyelectrolyte at the inherent pH of the mixture. The method is particularly useful for making robust slurries for subsequent spray drying of free flowing granules to be used in the fabrication of cemented carbide or cermet bodies.