Applications of WC-based composites rapid synthesized by consumable electrode in-situ metallurgy to cutting pick

The composite WpC (WC + W2C) material was prepared by the rapid route of consumable electrode D.C. arc in-situ metallurgy in the blind hole of the cutting pick, which has excellent metallurgical bonding with the substrate. The microstructure and microhardness of WpC were investigated by XRD, EDS, TEM and microhardness tester. The crystallization mechanism was analyzed. The results show that the microstructure of the sample is uniform, and the hard phases are WC, W2C, Fe3W3C. The average hardness of the alloy is 1290 HV0.2 and the average microhardness of WpC is 2253HV0.2. The two-dimensional microstructure morphology of WpC is triangluar and rectangular. The largest WpC grains can grow to 70 μm in the molten pool.

► WpC composite is prepared by the consumable electrode D.C. arc in-situ metallurgy.
► The CDISM is a low cost and high efficiency rapid route.
► The average microhardness of the WpC phase is 2253 HV0.2.
► The composite has excellent metallurgical bonding with the substrate.