Reciprocating Friction and Wear Behavior of WC-Co Based Cemented Carbides Manufactured by Electro-Discharge Machining

Abstract:

Tungsten carbide based hardmetals with cobalt binder phase are widely used in engineering industries for their excellent mechanical properties and outstanding wear performance. Reciprocative sliding wear behaviour of a number of WC-Co based hardmetal grades was investigated using a small-scale pin-on-plate tribometer. Test samples were manufactured by electro-discharge machining (EDM) with various surface finishing regimes. SEM topographies and cross-section views of the cemented carbides were obtained both before and after dry friction tests, revealing distinctive wear mechanisms. The generated wear loss was quantified topographically using surface scanning equipment. Wear debris particles were collected and examined by EDX and TEM analysis. Based on experimental results, the execution of consecutive gradually finer EDM cutting steps was found to considerably enhance wear performance. Furthermore, a significant influence of contact load, sliding movement duration, application of lubricant and wear debris formation on wear rate and friction was established.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volumes 561-565)
• Pages: 2025-2028
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.561-565.2025
• Online since: October 2007
• Authors: Koenraad Bonny, Patrick de Baets, Omer Van der Biest, Jef Vleugels, Bert Lauwers
• Keywords: Cemented Carbide, Dry Friction, Pin on Plate, Reciprocating Sliding Wear, Wire EDM

References

[1] Kozak, J. Rajurkar, K.P. Chandarana, N. (2004) Machining of low electrical conductive materials by wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM). Journal of materials processing technology, Vol. 146/1-3, 266-271.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2003.11.055

[2] Jiang, D., Anné, G., Vleugels, J., Vanmeensel, K., Eeraerts, W., Liu, W., Lauwers, B., Van der Biest, O., Residual stress in hardmetals caused by grinding and EDM machining and its influence on flexural strength, Proc. 16th Int. Plansee Seminar, Powder Metallurgical High Performance Materials, Vol. 2 (2005).

[3] B. Lauwers, J. P. Kruth, W. Liu, W. Eeraerts, B. Schacht and P. Bleys, Investigation of material removal mechanisms in EDM of composite ceramic materials, Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Volume 149, Issues 1-3 (2004), 347-352.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2004.02.013

[4] B. Lauwers, W. Liu, W. Eeraerts, Influence of the composition of WC-based cermets on the manufacturability by Wire-EDM, Transactions of the NAMRI/SME, Vol. 32 (2004), 407-414.

DOI: 10.1016/s1526-6125(07)00007-2

[5] K. Bonny, P. De Baets, B. Lauwers, W. Liu, J. Vleugels, S. Salehi, Electrical discharge machinability of WC-Co based cemented carbides and effects on reciprocating sliding friction behavior, submitted to Wear.

DOI: 10.1016/j.wear.2008.05.009

[6] K. Bonny, P. De Baets, B. Lauwers, W. Liu, J. Vleugels, S. Salehi, O. Van Der Biest, Reciprocative sliding wear behavior of WC-Co Cemented Carbides, submitted to Int. J. Refr. Met. & Hard Mater.