Prediction of crack paths in WC-Co alloys

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1992 · Acta Metallurgica; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0956-7151(92)90108-Q· OSTI ID:7116237

Spiegler, R; Fischmeister, H F ^[1]

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1. Max-Planc-Inst. fuer Metallforschung, Inst. fuer Werkstoffwissenschaft, Seestrasse 92, D-7000 Stuttgart 1 (DE)

This paper reports on a crack propagating through the WC-o microstructure which has to choose between paths along the binder/carbide interface and paths across binder regions. The latter paths are selected when the crack enters a binder region at a large angle from the nearest carbide interface, while the interface paths are preferred by cracks entering at a small angle. A critical angle can be defined for the switch from one type of crack path to the other. Empirical data for the area fractions of the two crack paths in widely different WC-Co alloys can be accounted for by a single critical angle, {var phi}{sub c} = 25{degrees}. Finite element analysis of the stress field in a region of binder enclosed between carbide grains shows that the preferred site for the growth of stress-induced microvoids will move from the carbide grain flanks to the interior of the binder region when the entry angle of the crack exceeds 24{degrees}. Thus the observation of a critical angle deciding the crack path is verified by the stress field analysis and given a physical explanation in terms of the most likely site for microvoid formation.

• OSTI ID: 7116237
• Journal Information: Acta Metallurgica; (United States), Journal Name: Acta Metallurgica; (United States) Vol. 40:7; ISSN 0001-6160; ISSN AMETA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360102 -- Metals & Alloys-- Structure & Phase Studies
360103* -- Metals & Alloys-- Mechanical Properties
360105 -- Metals & Alloys-- Corrosion & Erosion
360203 -- Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories-- Mechanical Properties
ALLOYS
CARBIDES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COBALT ALLOYS
CORROSION
CORROSION RESISTANT ALLOYS
CRACK PROPAGATION
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
FRACTURE MECHANICS
INTERFACES
KINETICS
MECHANICS
MICROSTRUCTURE
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
REACTION KINETICS
REFRACTORY METAL COMPOUNDS
STRESS ANALYSIS
STRESS CORROSION
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TUNGSTEN CARBIDES
TUNGSTEN COMPOUNDS
VOIDS