Effects of Co content and WC grain size on wear of WC cemented carbide

WC cemented carbides are used extensively to improve abrasion resistance. Co content and WC grain size influence the mechanical properties of the cemented carbides. In this study, the effects of Co content and WC grain size of cemented carbide on wear were examined. We prepared 13 different cemented carbides with different Co content and WC grain size. Wear tests were carried out against 0.45% carbon steel under dry condition at 98 N and 232 mm/s. From the results, we found that wear increased with both Co content and WC grain size. Specific wear rate of the cemented carbides tested was in the range of 10⁻⁷ mm³/(N m). We discussed the wear properties with hardness and the mean free path of the cemented carbide. These two parameters alone cannot explain the wear property.