Effects of stearic acid on synthesis of nanocomposite WC–MgO powders by mechanical alloying

The effects of stearic acid as a process control agent (PCA) on the synthesis of WC–MgO by mechanical alloying have been investigated. 0–2.0 wt% of stearic acid is added into the mixture of WO3, Mg, and graphite powders in high-energy planetary ball milling experiments, and the as-milled powders are characterized by XRD and TEM. Results show that the mechanochemical reaction among WO3, Mg, and graphite to form WC–MgO can be changed from a...