Microstructure evolution of WC grains in WC–Co–Ni–Al alloys: Effect of binder phase composition

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Abstract In the present work, the microstructure evolution of WC grains in WC–Co–Ni–Al alloys with different Co–Ni–Al binder phase composition, have been investigated. By combination of thermodynamic calculations and decisive experiments, a series of WC–24 wt.% (Co–Ni–Al) alloys were designed and prepared by liquid phase sintering at 1450 °C for 1 h, 8 h and 20 h, respectively. The influence of Ni3Al content in Co–Ni–Al binder on the WC morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that, with the increase of Ni3Al content, the increasing interface energy raises both the energy barrier for two-dimensional (2-D) nucleation and the energy barrier for W migration. Under the influence of these two factors, the micro-faceted and stepped planes on the WC grains become more and more obvious and the WC grains become finer and blunter simultaneously. Combining the thermodynamic calculation with the experiment, the mechanism for WC morphology evolution has been revealed. The mechanical properties of the alloys were also discussed.