Comparison of the wear resistance of various grades of cemented carbides that may find application in wood machining

A laboratory test is described in which specimens of rectangular cemented carbide tool inserts of a standard size are allowed to slide against a rapidly rotating fiberboard disc in either the presence or the absence of a mist spray of a dilute organic acid (tannic acid or acetic acid) to simulate the cutting of green wood and cured wood respectively. It is shown that the worn surfaces of cemented carbide tools used in (field) service are remarkably similar to the worn surfaces of specimens used in the laboratory (simulation) tests.Extensive results are presented that show quantitatively the progressive wear of a wide range of cemented carbides as a function of time for sliding under wet and dry conditions. It is shown that wear depends on the type and amount of binder present in the cemented carbide and on the nature of the environment. Materials with Co-Cr and Ni-Cr binders containing significant amounts of chromium showed the greatest resistance to wear.