Comparative Study by Image Analysis of WC-Co Alloys Elaborated by Liquid Phase Sintering and Hot Isostatic Pressing

Abstract

Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) is known to be a process which permits to elaborate totally dense cemented carbide with perfect homogenous structure. It also offers the possibility to totally consolidate the powders mixtures WC-Co without reaching the fusion temperature of the binding cobalt. The HIP process was used in this work to produce a cemented carbide with an 8, 11 and 20% cobalt mass. Their properties are thus compared with those of similar samples elaborate by liquid phase sintering. The microstructural characterization of both types of samples is described from observation by scanning electron. The qualitative analysis of the sample is realized by X-ray diffraction and energy dispersion. The use of image analysis techniques allowed us to access the morphological parameters of the binding phase in both types of elaborate sample. The spectra obtained by X-ray diffraction show, the absence of the phase (Co3W3C, Co6W6C) for the sample elaborated by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) method, unlike sintering in the liquid phase where it is clearly highlighted. The SEM observations clearly show the absence of residual carbon inclusions for the HIP method as well as the best distribution of the phases highlighted by the images obtained by mapping. In conclusion, the results obtained give us a clear idea on improving densification, increasing hardness and decreasing porosity for the HIP hot isostatic pressing method.

Effect of Mo and C Additions on Eta Phase Evolution of WC-13Co Cemented Carbides

“…However, the proportion of the eta phase only decreased from 40% to 34.2% when the addition of carbon black increased from 0 to 0.3%. According to the calculated phase diagram, the ratio of the eta phase should be close to zero for the WC-13Co with a composition of 0Mo-5.13C, and the formation of a large area fraction of the eta phase in Figure 3a is mainly caused by the loss of carbon during sintering [18]. When the content of carbon black reaches 1.1%, the proportion of the eta phase decreases to 4%.…”

Deep Learning-Based Cooperative Modelling of Thermal Flow and Stress Fields in Laser Powder Bed Fusion

“…In the global manufacturing landscape, the boundaries of production speed, accuracy, and potential are being continuously redefined by the advent of LPBF technologies [1][2][3][4][5]. This form of additive manufacturing facilitates the production of intricate components, which, owing to their high precision, customization, and geometric complexity, were previously unattainable with traditional manufacturing techniques [6,7].…”