WC-stainless steel hardmetals

• Published in: International journal of refractory metals & hard materials Vol. 72; pp. 21 - 26
• Main Authors: Fernandes, C.M., Rocha, A., Cardoso, J.P., Bastos, A.C., Soares, E., Sacramento, J., Ferreira, M.G.S., Senos, A.M.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shrewsbury Elsevier Ltd 01-04-2018; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Austenitic stainless steels; Cemented carbides; Cobalt; Coercivity; Corrosion resistance; Creep rupture strength; Ferromagnetism; Fracture toughness; Heat conductivity; Magnetic properties; Mechanical properties; Metals; Microstructure; Modulus of elasticity; Phase composition; Powder metallurgy; Prototypes; Stainless steel; Thermal conductivity; Thermal expansion; Thermal properties; Thermodynamic properties; Tungsten carbide; Thermal properties; Corrosion resistance; Mechanical properties; Tungsten carbide; Microstructure; Stainless steel
• ISSN: 0263-4368; 2213-3917
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2017.11.046

WC-AISI304 (SS) composites with the phase composition controlled by adequate carbon addition are being developed as potential alternatives to the established WC-Co hardmetals, following the REACH regulation relatively to the elimination of toxic and critical elements and the actual market demands of lower cost production and enlarged range of properties for the hardmetal components. Prototypes of WC-SS-C (10wt% SS) were produced by industrial powder metallurgy processing and a full characterization of its mechanical (Young modulus, HV30, fracture toughness, transverse rupture strength), magnetic (coercive force and ferromagnetic content) and thermal properties (thermal expansion coefficient and thermal conductivity), together with the corrosion resistance, were undertaken aiming at evaluating the potential applications of these new series of cemented carbides.
•WC-AISI304 prototype presented high hardness and toughness and TRS values inside the range of WC-Co grades.•WC-SS showed a reduced corrosion resistance in 0.5M NaCl.•WC-SS prototype competes well with WC-Co grades in wear applications.