Effects of Mo and VC on the microstructure and properties of nano-cemented carbides

Abstract

In this study, four unique groups of nano-cemented carbides with 8 wt.% Co and trace amount of Mo and VC have been successfully synthesized. The effect of Mo and VC has been investigated comprehensively on both the microstructure and mechanical behavior of nano-cemented carbide. The results show that Mo significantly increases hardness but decreases the fracture toughnesses and VC slightly increases hardness and strongly increases fracture toughness of nano-cemented carbide. It is found that the optimum Mo and VC contents are both 0.5 wt.%. The average WC grain size is about 370 nm. The hardness is about 2350 HV30 and the fracture toughness is about 11.2 MPam-1/2.