Nanoindentation characterization of surface layers of electrical discharge machined WC-Co

Jun Qu, Laura Riester L., Albert J. Shih, Ronald O. Scattergood, Edgar Lara-Curzio, Thomas R. Watkins

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study applies nanoindentation and other analysis techniques to investigate the influence of wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) process on the structure and properties of machined surface layers of W-Co composites. Multiple indents were conducted on the cross-section of the surface recast layer, sub-surface heat-affected zone, and bulk material. The energy disperse Xray spectrometry and X-ray diffraction were used to analyze the material compositions in the heat-affected zone and recast layer and to study the electrical spark eroded surface. The indents were inspected by scanning electron microscopy to distinguish between regular and irregular indents in these three regions. Irregular indents were caused by the porosity, soft matrix material, separation of grain boundaries, and thermal cracks caused by EDM process. The hardness and modulus of elasticity obtained from regular indents in bulk material and heat-affected zone were comparable to those of WC. It was found that the recast layer had lower hardness and modulus of elasticity than the bulk material and heat-affected zone.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)125-131
Number of pages7
JournalMaterials Science and Engineering: A
Volume344
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 15 2003

Funding

This research is partially sponsored by National Science Foundation (Dr K.P. Rajurkar, Program Director) and the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Office of Transportation Technologies, as part of the High Temperature Materials Laboratory User Program, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, managed by UT-Battelle, LLC, for the US Department, of Energy under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725.

FundersFunder number
Office of Transportation Technologies
US Department, of EnergyDE-AC05-00OR22725
National Science Foundation
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

    Keywords

    • Electrical discharge machining
    • Mechanical properties
    • Metal matrix ceramic composites
    • Nanoindentation

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