The effect of thermal shock on the abrasive wear of WC-12wt%Co
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Date
2009-03-25T10:08:31Z
Authors
Makgere, Machoene Frederick
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Abstract
This work is a preliminary attempt to study the effect between thermal shock and
abrasive wear in WC-Co alloys. This was done by evaluating the thermal shock
resistance of a WC-12wt%Co mining grade as a function of temperature, number
of thermal shock cycles and making comparisons between the abrasive wear
responses of samples subjected to thermal shock and samples not subjected to
thermal shock.
A furnace was designed for the thermal shock treatments. Abrasive wear tests
were performed on a 2-body sliding wear apparatus using 80-grit SiC abrasive
paper as a counter-face. Stereo and electron microscopy as well as microprobe
techniques were used to analyse the effects of thermal shock. It is confirmed that
thermal shock has a negative effect on the wear rate of WC-12wt%Co. The results
showed an initial high mass loss rate during abrasive wear testing, which
increased with increasing temperature and a decrease in wear rate with time until
the wear rates converged for all samples. The surface analysis after thermal shock
indicated voids on and below the surface, stained surfaces, a thin oxide layer and
the possibility of WC decarburization which accelerated the wear response.
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Keywords
WC-Co alloys Thermal shock Abrasive wear