Microstructure of a V-containing cobalt based alloy prepared by mechanical alloying and hot pressed sintering

Abstract

In this paper, a bulk V-containing cobalt-based alloy with high chromium and tungsten contents was prepared by mechanical alloying and hot pressed sintering using Co, Cr,W, Ni, V and C pure element powders. XRD, SEM, TEM and Vickers hardness tests were employed to characterize the microstructure and mechanical properties of the mechanical alloyed powders and hot pressed bulk cobalt-based alloy. The results show that all elements can be mixed uniformly and that the Co, Cr, and Ni elements were made into an amorphous state after 10 h ball milling in a high energy ball miller. The microstructure of the prepared bulk alloy was composed of a -Co matrix with a large number of nano-twins and fine M23C6 and M12C carbide particles well-distributed in the alloy. The V element was mainly distributed in M23C6-type carbide and no V-rich MC-type carbide was found in the microstructure. The prepared alloy had a high hardness of 960 - 9.2 HV and good a fracture toughness KIc of about 10.5 - 0.46 MPa-m1/2. The microstructure formation and strengthening mechanisms of the prepared cobalt-based alloy are discussed.