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Optimization of Initial WC Grain-Size Distribution in WC-6Ni Cemented Carbides

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Abstract

The initial WC grain-size distribution, as one of the most important factors influencing the properties of alloys, has been focused on for a long time in some fields other than cemented carbides. In the present work, five groups of WC-6Ni cemented carbides were prepared and the effect of initial WC grain-size distribution on the microstructure and properties of the hard alloys was studied. The results indicate that initial WC grain-size distribution has significant influence on the microstructure and properties of WC-6Ni cemented carbides, except density. When the mass ratio of coarse-WC and fine-WC is 7:3, WC-6Ni cemented carbide samples with initial WC grain-size distribution of WC-1(4.8 μm) and WC-4(0.7 μm) show a relatively good combination properties, while the cemented carbide samples with WC-5(0.4 μm) as the fine-WC component exhibit higher values on some properties, mainly hardness and immersion corrosion resistance in acid and alkali.

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Acknowledgments

Mr K. L. Dong and Q. Jiang of Zi Gong Cemented Carbide Corporation Limited are acknowledged by their support with specimen preparation. Thanks to Ms C. L. Chen and X. M. Li from the same company for the help in microstructure observation and property test.

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Correspondence to Ke-chao Zhou.

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Shi, Kh., Zhou, Kc., Li, Zy. et al. Optimization of Initial WC Grain-Size Distribution in WC-6Ni Cemented Carbides. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 23, 3222–3228 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-014-1117-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-014-1117-2

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