Influence of size and volume share of WC particles on the properties of sintered metal matrix composites

Abstract

Steel matrix composites are being increasingly investigated because of their wear and corrosion properties, allowing their wide application in various industrial sectors. The interaction of tungsten carbide (WC) with the steel matrix, including an analysis of its volume share and particle size, is crucial in determining the resistance to wear and corrosion of the metal matrix composite (MMC). However, there is little information in the literature about sintered MMCs based on low-alloy steels. This paper presents the results of an analysis of the influence of the volume share of WC (5 vol.% and 20 vol.%) and carbide particle size (0.7 µm and 5.0 µm) on the resistance to abrasion of a friction pair: sintered composite and bearing steel, analysed using two rotational speeds (0.02 m/s and 0.2 m/s). Moreover, the resistance to corrosion in 3.5% NaCl solution is also characterized. It is shown that both the volume share and the size of the WC particles used as reinforcement of the steel matrix have a significant impact on the densification behaviour as well as the resistance to abrasive wear and corrosion of sintered MMCs based on low-alloy steel.