Enhanced wear resistance of cemented carbides reinforced with SiC nanoparticles

Abstract

WC-10 wt% Co cemented carbides containing various amounts (0–4 wt%) of SiC nanoparticles were fabricated by vacuum sintering. The influence of SiC nanoparticles on microstructure, mechanical behavior, and dry sling wear resistance of the produced cemented carbides was explored. Results showed that SiC addition resulted in larger WC grains, thus lowering the hardness. Despite the hardness reduction, the wear resistance increased with increasing SiC content. The specific wear rate of the WC-10Co sample was 12.33 × 10−5 mm3/Nm that decreased to 1.86 × 10−5 mm3/Nm with 4 wt% nanoparticle addition. The improved wear resistance of nanocomposite samples was explained through the effects of SiC particles on modification of pore distribution, increased fracture toughness, and reduction of coefficient of friction. In the unreinforced WC-10Co cemented carbide, microstructural pores were found to be smaller but more numerous, resulting in extensive WC grain pullout. In addition, scuffing was recognized as the prevalent wear mechanism making friction trace completely unstable. In the nanocomposite samples, however, SiC nanoparticles stabilized and reduced the coefficient of friction. The change in friction condition from sliding to rolling abrasion revealed the microabrasive grooving as the predominant wear mechanism of the nanocomposites with enhanced wear resistance.

Enhancement of mechanical properties of ramie and jute fibres reinforced epoxy hybrid composites: Influencing of SiC and Al2O3

“…The adhesion between the ceramic fillers and the epoxy matrix destabilised as the weight fraction of SiC content in the hybrid composites increased beyond 8%, resulting in fibre pullout and the formation of more micro holes. 31…”

Faceting/Roughening of WC/Binder Interfaces in Cemented Carbides: A Review

“…Minor changes in the shape of WC crystallites were also observed through the alloying of conventional WC-Co cemented carbides using Ti 3 SiC 2 [ 48 ], WCoB [ 49 ], Al 2 O 3 , La 2 O 3 , Y 2 O 3 , CeO 2 [ 50 ], NbC [ 44 ], CrC [ 51 ], graphene oxide [ 52 ], MgO [ 53 ], Al 2 O 3 , Y 2 O 3 [ 21 ], Ti(C 0.5 , N 0.5 )-Mo [ 54 ], VC, Cr 3 C 2 [ 55 ], multiwalled carbon nanotubes [ 56 , 57 , 58 ], SiC [ 59 ], graphene [ 60 ], VC [ 61 ], TiC [ 62 , 63 ], VC and (Ta, Nb)C [ 62 ]. It appeared to be challenging to maintain carbon nanotube and graphene during sintering, as carbon easily dissolves in both solid and liquid cobalt at elevated temperatures.…”