Mechanism of Crystal Growth and Coalescence of Tungsten Carbide in the Presence of Cobalt Liquid Phase

Abstract

The mechanism of crystal growth and coalescence of tungsten carbide in the presence of cobalt liquid phase was investigated by metallographic and crystallographic analyses. The crystal growth seemed to take place at the spiral steps of dislocations or by the formation of the unit island on the face of habit plane by the continuous supply of material. Also, the appearance of slip or cleavage introduced in the process of cooling was frequently observed. On the other hand, the coalescence to comparatively large crystal occurred at small angle or twin boundaries. © 1990, The Japan Institute of Metals. All rights reserved.