Alloy systems and processes in cemented carbide production

Abstract

While powder metallurgy products provide many illustrations of structure and composition being adjusted in relation to processing problems, much the reverse has been the case with cemented carbides. This arises from the use of cemented carbide as a tool material. Tools generally exploit the properties of the materials of manufacture to their limit. As cemented carbide is also a brittle material the metallurgical requirements for the consistent production of near-ultimate properties allow little opportunity for adjustments to processing. The factors concerned are discussed in relation to the major processing operations in the manufacture of cemented carbides and their influence on performance in some of the more common applications.