Investigation on the Static Fatigue Mechanism and Effect of Specimen Thickness on the Static Fatigue Lifetime in WC–Co Cemented Carbides

Abstract

The static fatigue mechanism and effect of specimen thickness on static fatigue lifetime for four WC–Co cemented carbides were studied with different binder contents and carbide grain sizes. Static fatigue tests under three-point bend loading were conducted on different sized specimens. The fracture surfaces of rupture specimens were examined by scanning electron microscopy to investigate the static fatigue micromechanisms. Experimental results show that microcracks nucleate from defects or inhomogeneities and the connection of microcracks produces a main crack. The main crack propagates rapidly, resulting in the fracture of specimens. The extension of static fatigue lifetime with the increase of specimen thickness is due to the decrease of plastic zone size near the crack tip and relevant energy change during the crack growth. The effect of specimen thickness on static fatigue lifetime is much greater for cemented carbides with larger WC grain size or higher cobalt content, which is attributed to operative toughening mechanisms.