The effect of thermal shock on the abrasive wear of WC-12wt%Co

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.