Abrasion of tungsten carbide hardmetals using hard counterfaces

WC-based hardmetals are materials that are widely used in applications where abrasion resistance is required. This paper describes the results of tests that were performed using both a modified ASTM G65 test rig and an ASTM B611 test rig. The results are used to support the development of a new ISO abrasion wear test.Test parameters investigated included different abrasives (silica sand and alumina) and applied loads. For a given test system it was found that Archard’s law was obeyed; i.e., the extent of wear was directly proportional to the applied load. For a given test system and applied load, it was found that the wear produced by the alumina abrasive was approximately an order of magnitude higher than that due to silica sand. Also, for a given load and abrasive, results produced by both the modified ASTM G65 test rig and the ASTM B611 test rig were found to be nearly identical.Results are correlated with physical parameters commonly used for quality assurance in the hardmetal industry. These results are complemented by SEM examination of wear surfaces and of metallographically polished cross-sections of wear surfaces.