Research status and prospect of Co-phase strengthening in cemented carbide

Abstract

WC-Co cemented carbide has applied in various fields due to its excellent properties. However， the defects of Co bonding phase in hard alloys， such as low hardness， low wear resistance， and poor high-temperature stability， limit their use. The research on Co phase strengthening has never been interrupted. Therefore， this paper aimed to integrate the various Co phase strengthening research efforts systematically and summarized the microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of strengthening Co phase through traditional physical metallurgical strengthening （such as second phase strengthening， phase boundary strengthening， and solid solution strengthening） and particle strengthening. The hardness and toughness ranges of cemented carbide by different methods for Co phase were compared， the relationship of composition， microstructure， and property was established， and the advantages and disadvantages of various reinforcement methods were summed up. It provides a reference for the strengthened Co phase research and industrial production. According to the needs of working conditions， the performance indicators and service life of cemented carbide products are designed.

Keywords

• cemented carbide
• binder phase
• co phase strengthening
• strengthening mechanism