MWCNTs添加对WC-Co硬质合金微观组织和性能的影响

Effect of MWCNTs addition on microstructure andproperties of WC-Co cemented carbide

  • 摘要: WC基硬质合金因其优异的硬度和耐磨性,自20世纪以来被广泛用于切削、模具与采矿等领域。然而,其韧性不足、成本高和服役寿命有限等问题在高温高压等极端工况下尤为突出。为此,本研究利用放电等离子烧结(SPS)技术结合WO3的原位碳热还原反应,引入多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)作为强化与晶粒抑制组元。MWCNTs通过释放活性碳原子调节碳势,稳定WC相,同时在晶界处形成阻碍层与界面结构,协同抑制晶粒长大并提升组织致密度及综合性能。研究通过调控MWCNTs添加量、烧结温度、保温时间及烧结压力,系统分析了其对合金物相、显微组织、力学与磁性能的影响。结果表明,MWCNTs可有效抑制WC晶粒粗化,促进液相生成并延缓晶粒生长,为气体排出和结构重排提供良好条件。在MWCNTs添加量为0.4wt.%,烧结温度1400℃,保温时间10 min,压力40 MPa条件下,所得合金晶粒细小均匀、孔隙率低,展现出最佳综合性能:硬度达2053.2 HV,密度为14.83 g/cm3,断裂韧性为13.5 MPa·m1/2,平均晶粒尺寸为175 nm。研究结果为MWCNTs协同SPS原位反应调控WC组织结构提供了有力依据,为后续高性能硬质合金设计提供理论与工艺参考。

     

    Abstract: WC-based cemented carbides have been widely applied in cutting, molding, and mining industries since the 20th century due to their outstanding hardness and wear resistance. However, issues such as insufficient toughness, high fabrication cost, and limited service life—particularly under extreme environments—still restrict their broader applications. In this study, spark plasma sintering (SPS) combined with the in-situ carbothermal reduction of WO3 was employed to introduce multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as both a reinforcing phase and a grain growth inhibitor. The MWCNTs released active carbon atoms during sintering to regulate the carbon potential and stabilize the WC phase. Meanwhile, those distributed along grain boundaries formed barrier layers and interfacial structures, which collaboratively suppressed grain coarsening and abnormal growth, thereby enhancing the densification and overall performance of the material. By systematically adjusting MWCNT content, sintering temperature, holding time, and applied pressure, the evolution of phase composition, microstructure, mechanical properties, and magnetic behavior was thoroughly investigated. Results indicate that the incorporation of MWCNTs effectively suppresses grain coarsening, promotes liquid phase formation, and delays grain boundary migration, thereby facilitating gas release and structural rearrangement during sintering. Under optimized conditions (0.4 wt.% MWCNTs, 1400 ℃, 10 min holding time, and 40 MPa pressure), the synthesized WC-based composite exhibited fine and uniform grains, low porosity, and superior mechanical performance, achieving a hardness of 2053.2 HV, a fracture toughness of 13.5 MPa·m1/2, a density of 14.83 g/cm3, and an average grain size of 175 nm. This work not only highlights the synergistic effect of MWCNTs and SPS in tailoring WC microstructures but also provides theoretical and technological reference for designing next-generation high-performance cemented carbides.

     

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