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ABSTRACT
Grinding is a key step on the manufacturing process of WC–Co cemented carbides (hardmetals). In this work, an investigation of grinding effects on the surface integrity of hardmetals is conducted. It is done by combining diverse advanced characterisation techniques: X-ray diffraction, field emission-scanning electron microscopy, electron back scatter diffraction, focused ion beam – 3D tomography and transmission electron microscopy. The study is carried out in a fine-grained WC–Co grade. Besides ground state, polished surface finish condition is assessed for comparison purposes. It is evidenced that grinding induces significant alterations: 3D tomography illustrates microcracking exists down to 2.5 μm depth with a highly anisotropic distribution at the subsurface, large compressive residual stresses extending until subsurface levels of about 12 μm, and phase transformation of binder from the original fcc phase into the hcp one, as well as severe plastic deformation observed within the binder at the surface level.
Invited keynote papers from EuroPM2017, Milan.
Acknowledgements
Funding for this investigation was partly supplied by the Grant No. MAT 2015-70780-C4-3-P (MINECO/FEDER). One of the authors (J.Y.) acknowledges funding received through Erasmus Mundus joint European Doctoral Programme DocMASE.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes on contributors
Jing Yang received a MSc degree in materials engineering from Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Science. In 2016, she obtained a double PhD degree in advanced materials science and engineering from both Technical University of Catalonia (Spain) and Linkföping University (Sweden), within the framework of Erasmus Mundus DocMASE program. Her PhD research has led to 9 publications in indexed journals in the field as well as several conference contributions. Research interests of Dr. Yang include surface coatings, surface integrity of structural materials and optimization of materials processing-property/performance relationship. She is currently senior researcher in R&D department at AMESSintered Metal Components.
Joan Josep Roa got his PhD degree in Materials Science and Engineering at Universitat de Barcelona (Spain) in 2010. His research interests include micromechanics, small-scele mechanical testing, and advanced microstructural characterization of engineering materials. Dr. Roa has published more than 85 scientific papers. He is currently tenure-track lecturer professor within the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering at Technical University of Catalonia (Spain).
Martin Schwind obtained a PhD degree in Materials Science from the Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden) in 2001. His research interests include characterisation of steels and cemented carbides, modelling of phase transformations and interactions between cutting tool and workpiece material. Dr. Schwind currently holds a position as R&D Specialist - Sintering and Metallurgy at Seco Tools (Sweden).
Magnus Odén is a full professor at the department of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology at Linköping University (Sweden). He obtained his PhD degree from the same university in 1995. Nowdays, he heads the research division Nanostructured Materials and is the director of the competence center Functional Nanoscale Materials (FunMat-II). His research focuses on synthesis, characterisation, and property evaluation of novel materials, often as thin films. He has published more than 200 scientific papers and been the advisor of more than 30 PhD-graduates in this field.
Mats Johansson-Jõesaar received a PhD degree in materials science - thin film physics at Linköping University (Sweden) in 1998. His research has been focused on coatings and surface modification technologies, and has resulted in a range of publications as well as a number of patents in the field of materials research. He currently holds a position as R&D Expert - PVD at Seco Tools and part of the business area Sandvik Machining Solution within the Sandvik group.
Joan Esteve is full professor of Applied Physics in the University of Barcelona (Spain). He leads the Thin Films and Surface Engineering research group of the Applied Physics Department at the University of Barcelona. Prof. Esteve is coauthor of more than 140 papers published in top journals in the field of Surface Engineering.
Luis Llanes is full profesor in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering and current dean of the Barcelona-East School of Engineering (EEBE), as well as board member of the new Barcelona Research Center in Multiscale Science and Engineering, in Technical University of Catalonia (Spain). He received his PhD degree in 1992 from the University of Pennsylvania (USA). He carries out his research activities within the Structural Integrity, Micromechanics and Reliability of Engineering Materials (CIEFMA) group at UPC. His research interests include mechanical integrity and damage assessment of hardmetals, advanced ceramics and hard coatings. Prof. Llanes is co-author of more than 100 papers published in top journals in these fields, and has been Co- Chairman of the last four Intenational Conferences on the Science of Hard Materials (ICSHM).