Effective interface model for design and tailoring of WC–Co microstructures

Abstract

Interface structures are a key feature in developing modern composite material solutions with ever improved performance. We present a nano-microstructural modelling approach for the tungsten carbide (WC)–Co system which can include the interface structures of WC–Co and various other phases present in the microstructure, utilising a methodology which combines imaging-based and synthetically generated nano-microstructures into an effective interface model for predicting the behaviour and properties of the resulting composite material. The effective model comprises of a local model of the WC/Co interface interacting with a larger-scale model of the WC–Co microstructure. The results provide a linkage between the interface character of cemented carbide microstructures and their properties, for example with respect to compressive strength, fracture toughness and wear resistance. The methodology presents a multiscale formalism for carrying out performance and application-driven evaluation and tailoring of composite interfaces and mesostructures, carried out on the basis of the emerging engineering material properties.

Keywords:

• Nano-microstructural modelling
• Finite element modelling
• Mesoscale modelling
• Composites
• Tungsten Carbide

Acknowledgements

The work has been in part carried out within the FIMECC HYBRIDS (Hybrid Materials) programme. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation (Tekes) and the participating companies. The collaborative efforts of Prof. N. Provatas (McGill University) and Dr N. Ofori-Opoku (Northwestern University) are gratefully acknowledged.