Ni alloy-WC metal matrix composite (MMC) coatings are widely used in various fields of industry and technology to protect the working surfaces of parts from corrosion and wear, which is primarily due to the unique properties of nickel itself and the excellent properties of tungsten carbide as a hardening phase, as well as their good compatibility - WC is well wetted by nickel alloy melts [1]. Ni alloys possess high strength and toughness along with a resistance to corrosion and wear in a wide range, which is mainly predetermined by the alloying system [2]. WC possesses a high melting point (2600–2850 °C), high fracture toughness (28 MPa∙m1/2) and high hardness (16 - 22 GPa) [3]. It is widely recognized as well that cemented tungsten carbide, which is usually used in coatings, has some degree of plasticity, especially when compressive loads are applied [4]. Moreover, it is showed that at the later deformation stage dislocations’ density of WC in cermets dominates, indicating a more important WC role in the plasticity than a role of a metal binder [5]. This gives an advantage to WC over brittle hard materials.
Ni alloy-WC metal matrix composite (MMC) coatings are
widely
used
in various fields of industry and technology to protect the working surfaces of parts from corrosion and wear, which is
primarily
due to the unique properties of nickel itself and the excellent properties of tungsten carbide as a hardening phase,
as well
as their
good
compatibility
-
WC is well wetted by nickel alloy melts [1]. Ni alloys possess
high
strength and toughness along with a resistance to corrosion and wear in a wide range, which is
mainly
predetermined by the alloying system [2]. WC possesses a
high
melting point (2600–2850 °C),
high
fracture toughness (28 MPa∙m1/2) and
high
hardness (
16 - 22
GPa
) [3]. It is
widely
recognized
as well
that cemented tungsten carbide, which is
usually
used
in coatings, has
some
degree of plasticity,
especially
when compressive loads
are applied
[4].
Moreover
, it is
showed
that at the later deformation stage dislocations’ density of WC in
cermets
dominates, indicating a more
important
WC role in the plasticity than a role of a metal binder [5]. This gives an advantage to WC over brittle
hard
materials.