Recent developments in tungsten carbide-cobalt base cemented carbides

Abstract

The contribution of cobalt in allied systems is significant. It is used mainly as a binder to tungsten carbide or hard particulates. The material with characteristics between a metal and a ceramic is termed as hard metals, cermets, cemented forms, composites, alloys and coatings. Exceptionally high melting point, strength, wear resistance, oxidation resistance, low in thermal expansion are displayed by such systems. Normally these systems are used as hard facing, cutting tools and appliances under high rate of wear and abrasion. Variation in properties between particulates and binder renders these materials prone to form defects. Tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC-Co) cemented carbides are supposed to withstand medium of exposure, temperature, mechanical corrosion or erosion or scaling or swelling, high temperature fatigue, creep and crack formation. Various detection methods have been introduced to modify the processing steps either within existing process schedules or within modifications of either binder alloy or compositing particulates or harder identities. Fracture toughness properties, compressive strength, and interfacial phenomenon particularly for coatings or hard facings depend on the ease with which the defects form. Studies of different sintering models in response to coarsening, dissolution and particulate multiplication have been done and examined. The WC-Co composition is treated as a strategic material over the globe for application in wear, cut and abrasion area. Many attempts have been taken to evaluate a substitute composition from Ni base systems containing other element borides or cabides or carbonitride particulates.