Abstract
The cemented carbides of tungsten-carbide base were treated with chromium diffusion process for the purpose of improving their oxidation resistance and corrosion resistance. The results obtained were as follows: (1) As for a solid diffusion process for cemented carbides of tungsten-carbide base, chromium powder method was more suitable as compared with chromium chloride method. (2) As for WC-Co alloys, chromium was mainly diffused in the cobalt binder phase. (3) The mechanical properties of cemented carbides of tungsten-carbide base were slightly deteriorated by chromium diffusion process. (4) The oxidation resistance of WC-Co alloys at high temperatures was markedly improved by chromium diffusion process. (5) The corrosion resistances of these carbides in the air of 90% relative humidity and in 10% HNO3 or 10% H2SO4 were improved by chromium diffusion process.
