Diffusion coating of a WC-Co cemented carbide system. On the considerations of carburizing at low temperature.

The author has been unable to find any reports on the carburizing of cemented carbide WC-Co systems at temperatures of the order of 500-600°C.In this study, at low temperature a cemented carbide WC-Co system was carburized to examine the applicability of the paste process to cemented carbide used for wood cutting tools.It was found that:(1) WC-Co cemented carbide system increased in mass after carburization and the rate of mass gain depended on Co content and acceleration factors.(2) A layer containing Co2 C was formed in a very short time on the WC-Co alloy surface.(3) Hardness increased with both longer time and higher temperature carburization, but transverse rupture strength decreased.(4) Low Co alloys could be hardend by carburization in the same way as iron and steel, but toughness was decreased. The use of higher Co content alloys and lower carburizing temperatures will be effective in obtaining alloys that were of tough and also applicable to cemented carbide tools.