Characterization of nano-cemented carbides Co-doped with vanadium and chromium carbides

Cemented carbides are ultra-hard composites used in a variety of applications that call for tough and wear-resistant materials. Conventional cemented carbide typically consists of grains of tungsten carbide (WC) embedded in a cobalt (Co)-based binder matrix. Often compounds are added that inhibit the growth of the WC grains and thus ensure a fine and homogeneous grain structure, to optimize hardness and toughness. Here, we report a detailed study of the structure and properties of cemented carbides that contain combined grain-growth inhibitors, i.e. vanadium carbide (VC) and chromium carbide (Cr₃C₂). The concentrations were varied and the mixtures were sintered at 1200°C and 1300°C to achieve optimum combination of properties_. Alloy systems with a combination of both VC and Cr₃C₂ grain-growth inhibitors displayed superior mechanical properties compared to those in which only one inhibitor compound was present. The inclusion of VC produced lower densification with finer grains, whereas the incorporation of Cr₃C₂ produced a harder and tougher carbide. The compound WC-12Co-0.2VC-0.8Cr₃C₂ reached nearly full densification, with an average grain size of 50nm, a microhardness of 1690H_v30 and a fracture toughness of 12.5MPam^1/2. It is proven in this work that achieving a balanced concentration of both inhibitors is extremely vital to reach an optimum combination of properties. The combination of both VC and Cr₃C₂ displayed superior mechanical properties over the addition of a single inhibitor.