Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ultrafine-Grained WC-CoNiFe-Cr3C2-VC Cemented Carbides with a Multi-Principal-Element Alloy Binder

Jun 5, 2026

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Ultrafine-grained WC-Co cemented carbides with low binder content are attractive for precision machining, yet limited by a narrow sintering window and a hardness–strength trade-off. A Cr3C2-VC composite grain growth inhibitor is combined with a CoNiFe multi-principal-element alloy binder to yield ultrafine-grained WC-6MPEA-Cr3C2-VC with improved stability and mechanical properties. Composite inhibition and MPEA binder synergy refine WC grains to 0.28 μm, suppress the FCC-to-HCP transformation, and promote crack deflection and localized transgranular fracture, delivering 93.7 HRA, 1974 HV30, and 3016 MPa.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages19

Reading Time48 min

Abstract

Key words

Introduction

Background and definitions of ultrafine-grained cemented carbides

Limitations of conventional WC–Co and the need for low-binder systems

Role of MPEA binders and challenges for ultrafine-grained WC

Need for grain growth inhibitors and motivation for composite Cr3C2–VC

FAQs

Which mechanical property improvements are reported for the optimized WC-6MPEA-Cr3C2-VC sample?

The optimized sample achieves Rockwell hardness of 93.7 HRA, Vickers hardness of 1974 HV30, and transverse rupture strength of 3016 MPa, attributed to a refined WC microstructure and stable two-phase binder behavior.

Jun 5, 2026

Upload by Riley