Effect of Sintering Method on Surface Fatigue of Carbide Composites

Abstract

In this work the influence of sintering method on the surface fatigue of carbide composite was studied. The research focuses on WC-15wt%Co hardmetals prepared using different powders and different sintering techniques and as a result different microstructure: conventional WC+Co powder and novel reactive powder type W+C+Co are sintered using vacuum furnace, compression sintering (sinterhipping) and spark plasma sintering (SPS method). As tungsten carbide is a common material for cold forming punches and surface degradation causes punch failure [1], the tool life can be significantly extended by material surface fatigue life improvement. It is expected that SPS production route of WC-15wt%Co hardmetal will conclude in better microstructure, more even average grain size distribution and smaller residual porosity, and respectively better mechanical and surface fatigue properties compared to conventional production routes. There are some expectations related to the reactive sintering production routes, as this technique promotes the fine microstructure and better mechanical properties.