Modern alloying additions and binder phases for enhancing the performance of WC-based cemented carbides. A review

Classical alloying systems were developed in Germany in the 1920s–1930s: WC–Co (Osram), WC–TiC–Co, and WC–TiC–TaC–Co (Krupp AG). In the USSR, analogous materials were developed and standardized as the VK, TK, and TTK grade groups and found widespread application in cutting, drilling, stamping, and wear-resistant tooling. Since then, approximately 36,000 scientific papers aimed at improving the properties of cemented carbides have been published worldwide. Numerous alloying systems have been developed to enhance service performance while simultaneously reducing material consumption and production costs. There is a clear trend toward the design and application of multicomponent cemented carbides. This review is motivated by the need to develop new binder phases and alloying additions that increase strength, corrosion resistance, and microstructural uniformity under severe operating conditions. Given the projected growth in cemented carbide production and increasingly stringent service requirements, approaches aimed at reducing the content of costly cobalt while maintaining the current level of performance are of practical interest. To decrease the cobalt content without compromising the overall property set, Ni- and Fe-based binders are employed together with alloying additions of Cr, Mo, Mn, Al, and B. In addition, carbide grain-growth inhibitors, nanoscale oxide and rare-earth additives, and multicomponent binder solid solutions are used. The mechanisms by which various alloying components affect WC grain morphology and binder properties are discussed. In nearly all cases, the additions increase hardness, inhibit WC grain growth during sintering, and improve certain other properties. The review highlights the importance of consolidating and comparing data on the effects of alloying elements and binder-strengthening routes in the design of next-generation cemented carbides.