Analysis of the structure of a hard metal: a simple method of relating properties to stereological structures

Abstract

Computer simulation of the hard phase of WC-based hard metals is not common in scientific literature. This phase is formed by carbide grains embedded in a metallic matrix. In the equilibrium state, the grain has an equilateral prismatic form with beveled edges. It is nevertheless possible to model stereological aspects of this phase, using a Monte Carlo simulation assuming a prism structure without beveled edges. From the grain's height to width ratio, physical parameters such as grain area and intercept lengths can be calculated. The goal of this work is to present a simple method to obtain this ratio for metallographic samples. One of the results is to establish a relationship between the intercept length and the true size of the grain, which facilitates better understanding of this material's structure.

Keywords

• hard metal
• aspect ratio
• computer simulation
• metallography