Abstract
The transverse-rupture strength and hardness of WC-βt-16 vol%%Co alloy were mainly studied as a function of βt content (βt=commercially available WC-TiC-TaC triple carbide). Specimens were in vacuum sintered and subsequently HIP-ed at 1623 K.
It was found that the flaky structures enriched with βt appeared generally in the structure of this alloy system and they acted as a fracture source. The structure was caused by the agglomerated flaky powders which developed during ball-milling. The sharp increase in the strength was observed in particular in the alloy having 27-50 vol% βt in carbides, when the alloy with no flaky structure was prepared by an adequate way. The strength and hardness of WC-βt-Co alloy were considered to obey the law of mixture held between WC-Co and βt-Co alloys.
