engleski

Effects of Co Content on the WC Grain Size and Hardness of Cemented Carbide

Nowadays, more and more attention is given to cemented carbides with small grain size, which stand out with their enhanced mechanical properties and exploitation characteristics. The advantages of small grained cemented carbides can only be utilized if that grain size can be preserved after the sintering. For that reason grain growth inhibitors GGIs are added into the starting powder mixture of WC-Co before sintering. The experiments were carried out on three different samples sintered from diferent mixtures of WC powder with the cobalt content of 5, 10 and 15 wt.% with the constant content grain growth inhibitors (0.41% VC, 0.80% Cr3C2). The grain size after sintering has been determined by conducting coercive force measurements. On the samples of cemented carbides, Vickers hardness measurements (HV30) have been carried out. By analysing the obtained results a significant correlation between the Vickers hardness and WC grain size influenced by the Co content in the stating mixture has been determined.

cemented carbides, grain growth inhibitors, Co content, WC grain size, Vickers hardness

nije evidentirano