Effects of nano‐Al 2 O 3 and nano‐ZrO 2 on the microstructure, behavior and abrasive wear resistance of WC‐8Co cemented carbide

Abstract WC‐8wt.%Co cemented carbides with varied nano‐Al 2 O 3 and nano‐ZrO 2 contents were prepared respectively following conventional powder metallurgical procedures. Effects of nano‐Al 2 O 3 and nano‐ZrO 2 on the microstructure, behavior, and abrasive wear resistance were investigated. The result shows that a finer and more homogenous microstructure can be achieved by increasing nano‐Al 2 O 3 , and increasing nano‐ZrO 2 makes the microstructure more refined. Nano‐Al 2 O 3 and nano‐ZrO 2 could both help to give increased hardness. Transverse rupture strength is higher if the above nano‐oxides are doped appropriately, whereas excess addition is deleterious. Abrasive wear resistance presents different variations with respect to increasing nano‐Al 2 O 3 and nano‐ZrO 2 . By contrast, increasing nano‐ZrO 2 enhances the abrasive wear resistance more effectively than increasing nano‐Al 2 O 3 . The influence of the two nano‐oxides contents on the abrasive wear resistance does not almost vary with wear time, and the optimum addition level of nano‐Al 2 O 3 in WC‐8%Co cemented carbide is 0.3 wt.% from the stand of abrasive wear resistance. In addition, both of the nano‐oxides can retard the increase of wear rate in long‐term abrasive wear.