Effects of Cr3C2,VC and La2O3 additions on the WC grain morphology,hardness and toughness of WC-10Co alloys were investigated.To intensify the grain growth driving force,nano W and nano C,instead of the conventionally used WC,were used as the starting materials.To obtain a three-dimensional WC grain morphology,the natural sinter skins of the alloys were observed directly by scanning electron microscopy.It is shown that the additions have a strong ability in regulating the WC grain morphological and grain size distribution characteristics and the combinations of hardness and toughness.Due to the formation of regular and homogeneous triangular platelet WC grains,WC-10Co-0.6Cr3C2-0.06La2O3 alloy shows an excellent combination of hardness and toughness.The morphological regulation mechanism,the relationship between the WC grain morphology and the properties were discussed.
WC-6MoxC-0.47Cr3C2-0.28VC binderless carbide was prepared by hot pressing （1700 °C, 20 MPa）. The sample was observed and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X–ray spectroscopy and X–ray diffraction. The results show that during the hot pressing process, W atoms dissolve substantially into the MoxC crystal lattices; whilst, the reverse dissolution of Mo atoms into the WC crystal lattices takes place. Consequently, the main phase and binder phase structure are formed. The phase compositions of the main phase and binder phase are a WC-based solid solution containing Mo and a Mo2C-based solid solution containing W, respectively. The isotropic dissolution and precipitation of W and Mo atoms do not result in substantial carbide coarsening. The mechanism for the densification was discussed.
Ultrafine WC-Co-VC cemented carbides are used extensively in a variety of industrial environments due to their excellent mechanical properties and outstanding wear resistance.Co content affects the service performance of the cemented carbides.In the present study,the influ-ences of Co content on microstructure,physical,and mechanical properties were investigated systematically.Ultrafine WC-Co-VC cemented carbides with Co content varying from 4 wt%and 7 wt%and assistance of VC(0.35 wt%)as inhibitor of WC grain growth were prepared.The physical and mechanical properties were tested and the microstructure characteristics were observed by optical microscope(OM)and scanning electron microscopy(SEM).From the results,it is found that with Co content increasing,both the cobalt magnetism and bending strength increase,while the coercive force,Rockwell hardness,density,and abrasive wear resistance decrease.In addition,the OM and SEM results show that the increase of Co content in WC-Co-VC cemented carbides tends to reduce the quantity and size of micro-pores,and make the fracture mode change from brittle fracture to ductile fracture.
The as-sintered sinter skin of WC-11Co-0.71Cr3C2-0.06RE cemented carbide with WC＋βmicrostructure was analyzed by scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope and X-ray diffractometer. RE represents La-, Ce-, Pr- and Nd-containing mischmetal, andβis cobalt-based binder phase. It was discovered that La, Ce, Pr and Nd migrated directionally from the alloy to the sinter skin to combine with the impurity elements S and O from the sintering atmosphere during the sintering process. As a result, main dispersed phase RE2S3 and minor RE2O2S were formed in situ on the sinter skin. The mechanisms for the stimulation of the migration activity and the directional migration of RE atoms were discussed in terms of the thermodynamics stability of Cr3C2, solubility characteristic of Cr in Co and the polarization or ionization of RE atoms.
