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Surface Integrity Effects on the Fracture Resistance of Electrical‐Discharge‐Machined WC–Co Cemented Carbides
Author(s) -
Llanes Luis,
Casas Begoña,
Idañez Eva,
Marsal Montserrat,
Anglada Marc
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of the american ceramic society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 196
eISSN - 1551-2916
pISSN - 0002-7820
DOI - 10.1111/j.1551-2916.2004.01687.x
Subject(s) - materials science , surface integrity , flexural strength , cemented carbide , polishing , machining , electrical discharge machining , grinding , abrasive , carbide , surface roughness , composite material , ultimate tensile strength , scanning electron microscope , fracture (geology) , residual stress , metallurgy
The flexural strength evolution for two WC–16 vol% Co cemented carbides, with different mean carbide size, subjected to sequential and upgrading electrical‐discharge machining (EDM) is studied. It is compared with the fracture behavior exhibited by a reference surface finish condition, attained through conventional mechanical grinding and polishing using diamond as abrasive. Considering that rupture is related to existing defects, either introduced during sample elaboration or induced by machining, a detailed fractographic examination by scanning electron microscopy is conducted to discern fracture origins. The experimental findings indicate that the flexural strength of WC–Co hardmetals may be strongly affected by EDM, depending on the correlation existing between natural defects, as given by particular microstructural parameters, and EDM‐induced flaws. An analysis of the results using a linear–elastic fracture mechanics approach permits one to establish a clear connection between surface integrity and fracture resistance. Quantitative discrepancies between the estimated and the experimentally measured critical flaw sizes for all the EDM‐related grades are rationalized through the existence of local residual tensile stresses of considerable magnitude at the shaped surface. Release of these stresses through final mechanical and annealing treatments is pointed out as a quite effective alternative for improving the fracture behavior of WC–Co cemented carbides shaped by EDM.