Energy loss mechanisms in the erosion of cemented tungsten carbide

Abstract

The erosion of tungsten carbide has been studied by several researchers under various conditions: the cobalt content of the cemented carbide has been varied from 4.5 to 11.3 wt % Co, the size of the WC grains varied from 0.9 to 5.1 {mu}m, the size of the erodant particles varied from 30 to 630 {mu}m, the velocity of the particles varied from 30 to 507 m/s, and particle incidence angle varied from 15{degrees} to 90{degrees}. While it is generally agreed that with increasing cobalt content and increasing particle velocity the erosion rate of WC-Co increases, there is disagreement on the effect of grain size and angle of incidence. More work was clearly required to explain this disagreement, thus the present investigation was undertaken. The present work differs from previous experimental work in that the erodant particles are 4 mm average diameter and that the present investigation does not neglect the role of plastic deformation in the erosion process and the energy lost in damage to the erodant particles. These two additional energy loss mechanisms have been found to contribute significantly to the interpretation of the present results and of the results previously reported in the literature.