Pérez Trujillo, Francisco JavierAlcalá Penadés, GermánBouchafaa, HamidaMaamache, BouzidBoutaghou, ZoheirMiroud, DjamelHebib, MalekBadji, RiadCheniti, BillelHvizdos, Pavol2025-11-132025-11-132025-06-14Hamida Bouchafaa, Bouzid Maamache, Zoheir Boutaghou, Djamel Miroud, Malek Hebib, Riad Badji, Billel Cheniti, Pavol Hvizdos, Francisco Javier Pérez Trujillo, Germán Alcalá, Microstructure, mechanical performance and wear behaviour of MMC (WC-W-Ni/Fe) obtained by infiltration, International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials, Volume 132, 2025, 107291, ISSN 0263-4368, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2025.107291.10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2025.107291https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/126059WC-W-Ni-Fe composites were fabricated by infiltrating WC-5 W-5Ni porous preforms with a Cu-10Ni-6Sn binder alloy at 1180 °C. The study focused on the effects of Fe addition on the microstructural evolution and tribological performance of the composites. The infiltration produced dense materials with a heterogeneous microstructure composed of WC and W₂C carbides distributed within a dual-phase metallic matrix consisting of a Cu-rich phase and a NiSn intermetallic compound. The partial dissolution of Fe particles into the binder, enhanced particle rearrangement during solid-state heating, and led to the formation of ring-shaped WC and W distributions. However, both Ni and Fe induced partial decarburization of the carbides and favoured the precipitation of brittle (Fe,Ni)₃W₃C η-phase, preferentially at binder/carbide interfaces and within thermally induced cracks. Tribological testing under dry sliding conditions revealed that Fe-containing composites exhibited improved wear resistance than Fe-free composites, despite the formation of η-phase. The enhancement was attributed to an increased binder ductility and the formation of fracture-induced debris that protected the surface during sliding.engjournal articlehttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2025.107291https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0263436825002562embargoed access66DissolutionInfiltrationLoose powdersMicrostructurePhase transformationη-PhaseMaterialesFísica de materiales3312.04 Materiales Metalocerámicos (Cermets)3312.08 Propiedades de Los Materiales3312.90 Materiales Metalúrgicos Avanzados