Mechanical properties of WC-10Co-CNT nano-cemented carbide

Nanometer cemented carbide has a wide range of applications and prospects in the fields of machinery, metallurgy and industrial mold, based on its excellent mechanical performance. During the fabrication of WC-Co cemented carbide, the grains have high potential to grow up, how to manufacture the nano-cemented carbides with excellent comprehensive mechanical properties remains challenging. This paper demonstrates that the WC-10Co nano-cemented carbide combining with carbon nanotubes can realize enhanced the mechanical properties of nanomaterials. Ultra nanometer indentation tests are conducted to detect the hardness and elastic modulus of the nano-WC-10Co-CNT composite material. The key figure of merit of the CNT composite nano-material and its ability to refine the grains and to enhance the comprehensive performance are proved. We also envision that when the doping amount of CNT reaches to 0.7%, the performance of the nano CNT composite cemented carbide will degrade due to the exiting of free carbon.