Journal of Advanced Materials in Engineering (Esteghlal)

In this research, the wear behavior of commercial grades of WC-10wt%Co (H10F), WC-40vol%Co and WC-40vol%FeAl-B composites with different amounts of boron from zero to 1000 ppm has been investigated by the pin on disk test  method at high temperature. The wear tests were done under load of 40 N, a distance of 100 m and at ambient temperature, 200 ̊C and 300 ̊C. Wear surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the wear resistance of all composites decreased with increasing temperature. The boron free WC-40vol%FeAl composite showed the lowest wear resistance at all ranges of temperature. In the presence of boron up to 500 ppm in iron-aluminide matrix, the high temperature wear resistance of these composites improves and the wear mechanisms changes from particle pullout into abrasive state. The toughness enhancement of these composites and plasticity enhancement of iron aluminide in the presence of boron, leads to better link of the interface of FeAl matrix and tungsten carbide particles, and thus increases the wear resistance of these composites. WC-40vol% FeAl-500ppmB composite has a higher wear resistance at high temperature than WC-40vol% Co and commercial WC-10wt% Co.