Additive manufacturing of cemented carbides inserts with high mechanical performance

The WC-Co cemented carbides with near fully-dense and crack-free microstructure were fabricated by the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process and a subsequent heat-treatment. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the as-printed and heat-treated cemented carbide specimens were investigated in detail. The formation mechanisms and control method of the microstructural defects in LPBF printed cemented carbides were proposed. A number of particles of 2.5 nm-2.0 mu m formed in WC grains after heat-treatment. The nano-sized particles have a coherent interface with the WC matrix. The formation mechanisms of the particles and their effect on the enhancement of mechanical properties of the cemented carbides were demonstrated. Furthermore, the cutting performance of the LPBF printed cemented carbides inserts was tested under actual working conditions, which exhibited excellent service properties and promising application prospects.

Automated summary

The microstructures and mechanical properties of WC-Co cemented carbides fabricated by the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process and subsequent heat-treatment were investigated, revealing the formation of nano-sized particles within WC grains after heat-treatment that enhanced the mechanical properties. Cutting performance tests under actual working conditions showed excellent service properties and promising application prospects for LPBF printed cemented carbides.