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Microstructure and mechanical properties of WC–(Ti, M)(C, N)–Co cemented carbides with different nitrogen contents

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Abstract

Three kinds of (Ti, M)(C1−x, Nx) (M = Ta, Nb, W) quaternary solid-solution powders with various nitrogen contents were synthesized by carbothermal reduction–nitridation (CRN) process. Effect of nitrogen content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of WC–(Ti, M)(C1−x, Nx)–Co cemented carbides fabricated by sinter-hot isostatic pressing (HIP) were systematically investigated in this paper. The results show that the nitrogen content in the carbonitride raw powders strongly influences the morphology, the grain size and the compositions of the cemented carbides. All the cemented carbides with different nitrogen contents have a similar microstructural appearance: weak core–rim structure consisting of solid-solution phase embedded in WC–Co system. It is also observed that the carbonitride solid solution could somewhat reduce the WC grain growth, and the effectiveness of refining and the rim thickness are sensitively related to the nitrogen content of (Ti, M)(C1−x, Nx) solid solutions. In addition, with an increase in the nitrogen content, mechanical properties of these hard metals are enhanced, which were discussed in terms of the constituent, the microstructure and the solution behavior of the carbonitride solid solutions.

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the National Important and Special Project of China (No. 2013ZX04009-022) and Sichuan Provincial Science Research Program of China (No. 2013GC0136). We also acknowledge Analytical and Testing Center at Sichuan University for providing experimental facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China

    Han-Jie Fan, Ying Liu, Jin-Wen Ye, Wei-Bin Qiu & Yu-Chong Qiu

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  1. Han-Jie Fan
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  2. Ying Liu
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  4. Wei-Bin Qiu
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  5. Yu-Chong Qiu
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Correspondence to Ying Liu.

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Fan, HJ., Liu, Y., Ye, JW. et al. Microstructure and mechanical properties of WC–(Ti, M)(C, N)–Co cemented carbides with different nitrogen contents. Rare Met. 41, 3530–3538 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-016-0737-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-016-0737-0

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