ToimprovethemechanicalpropertiesofWC-Al2O3composites,theeffectsoftraceamountofCeO2additivesonthemicrostructureandmechanicalpropertiesoftheWC-Al2O3compositespreparedbyhotpressingwereinvestigated.TheresultsrevealedthattheWC-Al2O3compositesdopedwith0.1%CeO2possessedrefinedmicrostructureandenhancedmechanicalpropertiescomparedwiththatoftheundopedWC-Al2O3composites.TraceCeO2suppressedthedecarburizationofWC,promotedthemicrostructuralrefinement,andimprovedtheinterfacecoherenceoftheWCmatrixandAl2O3.When0.1%CeO2wasaddedtotheWC-Al2O3composites,theeffectofCeO2resultedintheachievementofarelativedensityof98.82%withanexcellentVickershardnessof16.89GPa,combiningafracturetoughnessof9.85MPa·m1/2withanacceptableflexuralstrengthof1024.05MPa.
