Crack deflection in tungsten carbide based laminates

Laminate materials were manufactured by alternating WC–6%Co layers with equal thickness layers of one of the following compositions: WC–16%Co, WC–16%Ni, Co, a W–Ni–Fe alloy, and Ni. One composition used WC–6%Ni in place of WC–6%Co, layered with the W–Ni–Fe alloy. Flexure specimens, consisting of nine alternating layers, were fabricated with either WC–6%Co or WC–6%Ni on the tensile surface of the specimen. The ability of these composites to deflect or arrest cracks was investigated in four point bending. Two of the compositions, WC–6%Co/W–Ni–Fe and WC–6%Co/Ni, exhibited the ability to fail non-catastrophically, showing inelastic work of fracture as high as 34,400 J/m2.