Fracture toughness evaluation of WC–10 wt% Co hardmetal sintered under high pressure and high temperature

This work focused on fracture toughness studies of WC–10?wt% Co hardmetal fabricated through the high pressure/high-temperature technique. A powder mixture of WC–10?wt% Co was sintered at 1500–1900°C under a pressure of 7.7?GPa for 2 and 3?min. Vickers hardness test at two different loads of 15 and 30?kgf was done and fracture toughness of the sintered bodies was measured using the indentation method to obtain the effect of sintering parameters. Structural analyses were also performed via X-ray diffraction to investigate structure-related properties. Full density was achieved for high sintering temperature along with abnormal grain growth that reduced hardness. High hardness was observed ranging from 1200 to 1670?HV and fracture toughness increased with increasing sintering temperature up to the highest value of 17.85?MPa/m^1/2.     

聚晶金刚石复合片超高压烧结过程的实验研究

 采用X射线衍射（XRD）分析、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）和能谱分析（EDX）等方法,对在压力5.6 GPa、温度1 460 ℃条件下,加热时间分别为2、3、4、6、8、10 min的聚晶金刚石复合片（PDC）样品进行了分析。结果表明：PDC的烧结经历了金刚石的石墨化过程,而且在烧结过程中金刚石层表面的XRD图谱出现了WC衍射峰,强度由弱到强,再由强到弱,直至消失;进一步的研究发现,PDC中助烧结剂Co的晶格常数因C和W原子的固溶会变大,并随PDC加热时间的延长出现一个峰值;从硬质合金基体扩散到金刚石层的Co由于扩散通道各异、所受阻力不同,使得其分布不均匀。     

Direct laser sintered WC-10Co/Cu nanocomposites

In the present work, the direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) process was used to prepare the WC-Co/Cu nanocomposites in bulk form. The WC reinforcing nanoparticles were added in the form of WC-10 wt.% Co composite powder. The microstructural features and mechanical properties of the laser-sintered sample were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscope (AFM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDX), and nanoindentation tester. It showed that the original nanometric nature of the WC reinforcing particulates was well retained without appreciable grain growth after laser processing. A homogeneous distribution of the WC reinforcing nanoparticles with a coherent particulate/matrix interfacial bonding was obtained in the laser-sintered structure. The 94.3% dense nanocomposites have a dynamic nanohardness of 3.47 GPa and a reduced elastic modulus of 613.42 GPa.     

Influence of substrate hardness transition on built-up of nanostructured WC-12Co by cold spraying

The ability of cold spray process to retain the feedstock microstructure into coating makes it possible to deposit nanostructured WC-Co coatings. In the present study, the deposition behavior of nanostructured WC-12Co coating was examined through the surface morphology and cross-sectional structure of the deposited single WC-12Co particle impacting on the substrates with different hardness using a nanostructured WC-12Co powder. Substrates included stainless steel, nickel-based self-fluxing alloy coatings with different hardness. It was observed from the top surface and cross-section of individual WC-12Co particles that the penetration leading to particle deposition depends on substrate hardness. When the substrate surface is covered by WC-12Co particles, the hardness of the newly formed substrate, i.e. the coating, increases greatly. The significant increase of the surface hardness leads to the rebounding off of impacting particles and erosion of the deposited particles, which prohibits effective built-up of coating. However, it was found that with spray jet fixed, a deposit with a thickness up to over 700 μm can be built-up. A model involving in substrate hardness transition during deposition is proposed to explain such phenomenon, which can be employed to optimize the conditions to build up a uniform nanostructured WC-12Co coating.     

Synthesis and characterization of in situ nanocrystalline intermetallic phase reinforced AlTiSi amorphous matrix composite

Composites with partially amorphous matrix were synthesized by mechanical alloying of an Al₅₀Ti₄₀Si₁₀ elemental powder blend in a high energy planetary ball-mill, followed by high pressure (8 GPa) low temperature (350–450°C) sintering. Microstructural studies and compositional micro-analysis were carried out using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy, respectively. Phase evolution as a function of milling time and isothermal temperature and their thermal stability was determined by X-ray diffraction at room or elevated temperature and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. The microstructure of composites sintered between room temperature and 450°C showed nano-size (≈50 nm) crystalline precipitates of Al₃Ti dispersed in an amorphous matrix. The composites sintered at 400°C with 8 GPa pressure exhibited the highest density (3.58 Mg/m³), nanoindentation hardness (8.8 GPa), Young's modulus (158 GPa) and compressive strength (1940 MPa). A lower hardness and modulus on sintering at 450°C is attributed to additional amorphous to nanocrystalline phase transformation and partial coarsening of Al₃Ti.     

The effects of temperature on nanocrystalline diamond films deposited on WC-13 wt.% Co substrate with W-C gradient layer

A tungsten-carbide gradient coating (WCGC) was prepared by reactive sputtering as an intermediate layer on the cemented carbide, WC-13 wt.% Co, substrate to improve the nucleation, smoothness and adhesion of diamond film. The diamond film was deposited by hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD). The effects of the substrate temperature on the WCGC and the diamond film were investigated. The characterization of the WCGC and the diamond films was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), micro-Raman spectroscopy and Rockwell hardness indentation. It is found that the WCGC plays an important role in improving the nucleation, smoothness and adhesion of diamond film; and the diamond films exhibit better quality and adhesion as substrate temperature increases during the CVD processes.     

Diamond film coated on WC/Co tools by double bias-assisted hot filament CVD

WC–6%Co cutting tool inserts were coated with diamond films using a double bias-assisted hot-filament chemical vapor deposition method. Coating of the cutting tools with chemical vapor deposition diamond is taken as a three-step process in which the growth of diamond follows the pretreatment and nucleation of the substrate. The presented operating parameters allow to substantially suppress the presence of amorphous carbon and/or graphite phases in the diamond films deposited on WC/Co tools. The substrate temperature of ∼700 °C, and a low methane concentration result in a sharp diamond Raman peak centered at 1333–34 cm⁻¹ with FWHM of 6–7 cm⁻¹ as detected by micro-Raman spectroscopy. The diamond morphology is characterized by scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and micro-Raman spectroscopy.     

超高压高温烧结中金刚石表面石墨化过程再研究

 通过3组模拟实验,考察了低压高温下金刚石表面石墨化条件和超高压高温条件下金刚石表面石墨化过程,发现在钴-碳共晶点以下、超高压高温烧结样品WC-Co基体附近区域金刚石表面已发生石墨化,XRD测试结果表明,超高压高温烧结过程中金刚石表面经历了石墨化初期、高峰期和抑制期三个阶段。     

掺杂立方氮化硼对金刚石聚晶致密化和显微结构的影响

 以小于0.5 μm的金刚石和氮化硼（以下简称cBN）微粉为原料,在6.0 GPa和1 450～1 480 ℃保温30 min的工艺条件下,成功地烧结出晶粒尺寸小于1 μm、以WC/Co硬质合金为衬底的金刚石聚晶。研究了cBN掺杂对金刚石基质密实化和显微结构的影响。研究表明,cBN可以有效地抑制金刚石异常长大。细晶而且致密的金刚石聚晶有优异的力学性能。     

Effect of heat treatment on the mechanical and microstructural characterization of Mg-AZ91E/TiC composites

Mg-AZ91E/TiC_p composite was fabricated using a spontaneous infiltration technique at 950 °C under an argon atmosphere. The composites produced have 37 vol.% of metal matrix and 63 vol.% of TiC-like reinforcement. The obtained composites were subsequently solution heat-treated at 413 °C during 24 h, cold water quenched, and subsequently artificially aged at 168 and 216 °C during 16 h in an argon atmosphere. Effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties was evaluated. Microstructural characterization was analyzed using different techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Interface between matrix and reinforcement was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and mechanical properties were evaluated by measuring the elastic modulus and hardness. Mg, TiC, Al, and Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phases through XRD were detected. Meanwhile, using TEM analysis in heat-treated composites MgAl₂O₄, MgO, and Al₂O₃ were identified. The as-fabricated composite have elastic modulus and hardness of 162 GPa and 316 Hv, respectively. After solution heat treatment and aging at 168 °C during 12 h, the composites reaches values of 178 GPa and 362 Hv for the elastic modulus and hardness, respectively. Time of aging was correlated with measures of elastic modulus and hardness.     

Co元素对硬质合金基底金刚石涂层膜基界面结合强度的影响

采用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理平面波赝势方法, 研究了硬质合金刀具基底黏结相Co元素对金刚石涂层膜基界面结合强度的影响机理. 借助Materials Studio软件建立了WC/Diamond膜基界面模型和WC-Co/Diamond膜基界面模型, 采用CASTEP仿真软件计算了WC/Diamond膜基界面模型和WC-Co/Diamond膜基界面模型的最优稳定结构. 通过仿真计算, 获得了WC/Diamond膜基界面模型和WC-Co/Diamond膜基界面模型的界面结合能、电荷密度图及Mulliken重叠布居数. 经对比分析后发现, 硬质合金基底中磁性元素Co的存在能转移金刚石涂层膜基界面处W元素及C元素的电荷, 从而使膜基界面处的原子因失电荷而相斥, 这直接导致了金刚石涂层膜基界面间距变大, 使得金刚石涂层膜基界面结合能降低.     

Ti/TiN multilayer thin films deposited by pulse biased arc ion plating

In this work, the effect of modulation period (Λ) on Ti/TiN multilayer films deposited on high-speed-steel (HSS) substrates using pulse biased arc ion plating is reported. The crystallography structures and cross-sectional morphology of Ti/TiN multilayer films were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Their mechanical properties were determined via nanoindentation measurements, while the film/substrate adhesion via the scratch test. It was found that the highest hardness value reached 43 GPa for the modulation period of 54 nm, while the film/substrate adhesion also reached the highest value of 83 N. Furthermore, the hardness enhancement mechanism in the multilayer films is discussed.     

Versatile fabrication of dendritic cobalt microstructures using CTAB in high alkali media

A facile hydrothermal reduction route based on a precipitate slow-release controlled process was developed to fabricate highly ordered dendritic cobalt microcrystals using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in high alkali media. The shape, structure, and magnetic properties of the final products were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction (ED), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The results showed that the sample is hexagonal close-packed Co coexisting with cubic close-packed Co; the length of the main trunk is about 8 μm and diameter of the branches is 0.5-2 μm. Magnetic measurement at 300 K showed that these microstructures exhibited ferromagnetic character. The probable formation mechanism of the microcrystals was discussed on the basis of the experimental results.     

Influence of Cobalt on the Adhesion Strength of Polycrystalline Diamond Coatings on WC–Co Hard Alloys

The influence of cobalt on the phase composition and adhesion strength of polycrystalline diamond coatings has been studied using scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray microanalysis. The coatings have been deposited on WC–Co hard alloy substrates in glow discharge plasma. It has been found that the catalytic amorphization of carbon only takes place during the direct synthesis of the diamond coating, when the cobalt vapor pressure over the substrate is high and the cobalt-related degradation of the synthesized diamond is absent.     

TiAlN coatings deposited by triode magnetron sputtering varying the bias voltage

TiAlN films were deposited on AISI O1 tool steel using a triode magnetron sputtering system. The bias voltage effect on the composition, thickness, crystallography, microstructure, hardness and adhesion strength was investigated. The coatings thickness and elemental composition analyses were carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) together with energy dispersive X-ray (EDS). The re-sputtering effect due to the high-energy ions bombardment on the film surface influenced the coatings thickness. The films crystallography was investigated using X-ray diffraction characterization. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) data show that TiAlN coatings were crystallized in the cubic NaCl B1 structure, with orientations in the {1 1 1}, {2 0 0} {2 2 0} and {3 1 1} crystallographic planes. The surface morphology (roughness and grain size) of TiAlN coatings was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). By increasing the substrate bias voltage from −40 to −150 V, hardness decreased from 32 GPa to 19 GPa. Scratch tester was used for measuring the critical loads and for measuring the adhesion.     

Synthesis of nano-polycrystalline diamond from glassy carbon at pressures up to 25 GPa

ABSTRACT

Nano-polycrystalline diamond (NPD) with various grain sizes has been synthesized from glassy carbon at pressures 15–25?GPa and temperatures 1700–2300°C using multianvil apparatus. The minimum temperature for the synthesis of pure NPD, below which a small amount of compressed graphite was formed, significantly increased with pressure from ～1700°C at 15?GPa to ～1900°C at 25?GPa. The NPD having grain sizes less than ～50?nm was synthesized at temperatures below ～2000°C at 15?GPa and ～2300°C at 25?GPa, above which significant grain growth was observed. The grain size of NPD decreases with increasing pressure and decreasing temperature, and the pure NPD with grain sizes less than 10?nm is obtained in a limited temperature range around 1800–2000°C, depending on pressure. The pure NPD from glassy carbon is highly transparent and exhibits a granular nano-texture, whose grain size is tunable by selecting adequate pressure and temperature conditions.     

复合型多晶金刚石末级压砧的制备并标定六面顶压机6-8型压腔压力至35GPa

通过分析二级6-8型大腔体静高压装置八面体压腔的受力状况, 研制了一种使用成本低、尺寸大且易于加工的多晶金刚石-硬质合金复合二级(末级)顶锤(压砧). 采用原位电阻测量观测Zr在高压下相变(α-ω, 7.96 GPa; ω-β, 34.5 GPa)的方法, 标定了由多晶金刚石-硬质合金复合末级压砧构建的5.5/1.5(传压介质边长/二级顶锤锤面边长, 单位: mm)组装的腔体压力. 实验表明, 自行研制的多晶金刚石-硬质合金复合末级压砧可使基于国产六面顶压机构架的二级加压系统的压力产生上限从约20 GPa提高到35 GPa以上, 拓展了国内大腔体静高压技术的压力产生范围. 应用这一技术, 我们期望经过末级压砧材料与压腔设计的进一步优化, 在基于国产六面顶压机的二级6-8 型大腔体静高压装置压腔中产生超过50 GPa的高压. 关键词： 二级6-8型大腔体静高压装置 多晶金刚石-硬质合金复合末级压砧 压力标定     

Mechanical properties of kaolinite ‘macro-crystals’

The mechanical properties of a rare sample of kaolinite macroscopic crystals were evaluated using instrumented indentation. The crystals were also characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy before and after heat treatment at 1100°C. The results are explained in terms of the fracture process occurring in the layered structure of kaolinite, and of the effect of roughness on the hardness and elastic modulus. Data analysis using One-way ANOVA (p?<?0.05) showed that the values of hardness and elastic modulus obtained are statistically homogeneous. Before heat treatment, the sample was composed essentially of kaolinite, with hardness of 42?MPa and elastic modulus equal to 1.3?GPa. After calcination at 1100°C, the sample keeps its layered habit and consists of amorphous metakaolinite. The hardness increases to 360?MPa and the elastic modulus increases to 6.9?GPa.     

Characterization of a LiCoO2 thin film cathode grown by pulsed laser deposition

A highly (003)-oriented pure LiCoO₂ thin film cathode, without Co₃O₄ impurities, was grown on a stainless steel substrate by pulsed laser deposition and characterized by electrochemical testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ex situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The initial reversible discharge capacity of the LiCoO₂ thin film cathode reached 52.5?μAh/cm²µm and capacity loss was about 0.18% per cycle at a current density of 12.74?μA/cm². The chemical diffusion coefficient of the Li⁺ ion was estimated to be about 4.7?×?10^?11?cm²/s from cyclic voltammetric (CV) scans. Ex situ XRD revealed that the spacing of crystalline planes expanded about 0.09?Å when charged to 4.2?V, corresponding to Li_0.5CoO₂, lower than the value for composite powder LiCoO₂ electrodes. XPS results showed that the number of low-coordinated oxygen ions increased relative to the removal of Li⁺ ions.     

Nanocrystalline growth and diagnostics of TiC and TiB2 hard coatings by pulsed laser deposition

Nanocrystalline coatings of TiC and TiB₂ were grown by pulsed laser deposition on Si(100) and on X155 steel at low substrate temperatures ranging from 40 °C to 650 °C. A pulsed KrF excimer laser was used with the deposition chamber at a base pressure of 10^-6 mbar. The morphology and structure of the films, studied with SEM, XRD, and TEM, showed that nanocrystalline films with a fine morphology of TiC and TiB₂ were deposited with a grain size of 10 nm-70 nm at all substrate temperatures. The growth of the polycrystalline coatings possessed a columnar morphology with a 𘜄¢ preferred orientation. The hardness of the coatings was determined to be 40 GPa and the elastic modulus, 240 GPa. The composition and the kinetics of the plume produced during the pulsed laser deposition of TiC and TiB₂ was studied under film growth conditions. The mass analysis of ions of the ejected material was performed by time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (TOF-MS) and showed the presence of Ti⁺ and C⁺ during TiC ablation and B⁺, B₂⁺, and Ti⁺ during TiB₂ ablation. The kinetic energies (KE) of the ions depended on the laser fluence which was between 0.5 eV and 340 eV. The kinetic energy and the evolution of the plasma was studied with a streak camera. The velocity of the plasma was of the order of 10⁶ cm/sec and was linearly dependent on the energy fluence of the laser. The emission spectroscopy of the plasma plume confirmed the atomic neutral and single excited species of Ti. These results show that coating growth basically occurs by the recombination of the ionic species at the surface of the substrate.