Effect of sintering temperature on microstructure and tribological properties of WC-HEA cemented carbide

doi:10.13251/j.issn.0254-6051.2025.03.014

Abstract

Abstract: A novel cemented carbide WC-CrFeNiCu_0.5 (HEA) was successfully fabricated by substituting CrFeNiCu_0.5 high-entropy alloy for the conventional metal binder (Co, Fe, and Ni) and vacuum hot-pressing sintering method. The microstructure evolution of the WC-HEA cemented carbide sintered at different temperatures (1050, 1100, 1200, and 1300 ℃) and its influence on the friction and wear properties were systematically investigated. The results show that the phases of the WC-HEA cemented carbide sintered at different temperatures mainly include WC and FCC phases, as well as a small amount of Cu-Fe alloy and metastable carbide M₃W₃C. When the sintering temperature is 1100 ℃, the WC-HEA carbide shows the highest densification and the lowest wear rate, with a porosity of only 5.15%±0.6% and a wear rate of 0.96×10^-6 mm³·N^-1·m^-1, resulting in the best wear resistance. The wear mechanisms of the WC-HEA cemented carbides sintered at different temperatures are mainly abrasive wear, accompanied by slight adhesive wear.

Key words: WC-HEA cemented carbide, sinter temperature, porosity, wear resistance

CLC Number:

TG156.8

Chang Jianxiu, Zhang Lu, Liu Qi, Li Keyao, Song Jiaxing, Cao Peipei, Peng Xiangyang. Effect of sintering temperature on microstructure and tribological properties of WC-HEA cemented carbide[J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(3): 90-95.

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