Influence of different post treatments on tungsten carbide–cobalt inserts

The present work is an attempt to improve some of the mechanical properties of cemented tungsten carbide (WC) cutting tool by subjecting it to different post treatments. The different post treatments that are tried out to the tungsten carbide–cobalt (WC–Co) inserts are a) controlled cryogenic treatment, b) heating and forced air cooling and c) heating and quenching in oil bath. The response of WC–Co inserts to such different post treatments has been evaluated in terms of microhardness, microstructural changes, scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph and Co metal phase changes through XRD. The experimental result indicate a remarkable response to all the above mentioned post treatments and the analysis of the same are presented in this paper.