Dissimilar welding of WC–Co cemented carbide to Ni42Fe50.9C0.6Mn3.5Nb3 invar alloy by laser–tungsten inert gas hybrid welding

Dissimilar welding between cemented carbide and invar alloy was carried out using CO2 laser beam and argon arc as heat sources. η Phase was formed near WC–Co/weld interface and precipitations in the fracture were discovered. In order to disclose the microstructure and mechanical property, firstly, η phase’s morphology and composition at interface were investigated using backscattered electron imaging (BEI); and element diffusion across heat affected zone near WC–Co/weld interface was further studied. Secondly, bend strength values of butt joint with different welding parameters were tested by four-point bend strength experiment. Finally, WC migration mechanism was further discussed and the bend strength was measured. The results showed: (1) microstructures consisted of columnar crystals, cellular crystals, eutectic structure and fir-tree crystal and dendritic crystals. The columnar crystals were surrounded by lots of fir-tree crystals. (2) WC migration was driven by stirring effects of welds, high pressure of molten materials and ionized shielding gas, interface reaction and surface tension. (3) η Phases dispersion did not decrease bend strength of butt joint. And the maximum bend strength was 1493.56 MPa, which was attributed to NbC precipitations featured with super-fine fir-tree.