Effects of Carbon Content on Some Properties of WC-10%(Co-Ni) Cemented Carbides

Abstract

Investigations were made on some fundamental properties of WC-10%(Co-Ni) alloys affected by the carbon content, i.e., the composition of binder phase in the alloys. Specimens were sintered in vacuum at 1375°C for 1.5 hr. Main results obtained were as follows :(1) The composition of binder phase in the alloys showed a marked change in the two phase region as in the cases of WC-Co, WC-Ni alloys, etc., i.e., the amount of tungsten dissolved in binder phase increased sharply with decreasing carbon content and increased also with increasing nickel content in binder phase.(2) Therefore, the properties of the alloys lie between those of WC-Co and WC-Ni alloys, as well as they showed regular changes similar to those in other WC-Co base alloys. It is suggested that the mechanical properties of the alloys containing up to about 10% of nickel in binder are nearly the same as those of WC-Co alloys.(3) With increasing nickel content, the two phase region of the alloys shifted towards the lower carbon side with the extension of that phase region.(4) Summerizing, the WC-(Co-Ni) alloys were confirmed to situate between WC-Co and WC-Ni alloys.