The Structure and Properties of the Molybdenum-Doped WC–W2C Eutectic Alloy Depending on the Production Method

Abstract

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction have revealed that the eutectic 5 wt.% Mo-doped WC–W2C alloy changes its cooling rate in the melt crystallization process when produced in the Tammann furnace, by electron-beam evaporation, and by centrifugal sputtering. This increases the size of phase components by a factor of 2 to 2.5, decreases the number of phases, and reduces compressive stresses (in the W2C matrix) and tensile stresses (in the WC, Mo2C, and (W, Mo)2C inclusions) to 50% and more. These changes result in one and a half times higher hardness and two times higher strength of doped relit, which is widely used for surfacing machine parts and mechanisms operating in conditions of abrasive wear and high dynamic loads.