Wear assessment of cemented carbide tools (WC–Co) with defined cutting edges under grinding-like service conditions

Abstract

In a previous study, micro-scale pyramid structures were produced on cemented carbide grades to form cutting edges (in the range 50 μm–100 μm) on their cutting surfaces. The pyramids were machined by an ultrashort pulse laser, exhibiting excellent surface integrity and defined geometric features. They are similar in size and shape to the abrasives used in grinding tools. In this study, hexagonal- and square-shaped pyramid structures are produced on four different cemented carbide grades. The wear of these textured cemented carbide tools was quantitatively and qualitatively assessed after grinding-like service conditions. More precisely, the geometric feature changes were measured, and cross-sectional characterization was conducted to reveal wear modalities of the cutting edges. Wear was detected mainly on the pyramids in the effective contact area of the tools, in the form of material loss resulting from grain cracking and adhesion. Hardness was a decisive factor in wearing the pyramids, and tools with hardness more than 1100 HV30 showed reduced wear. Pyramid shape also influenced the degree of wear, as the hexagon pyramids experienced less height reduction (up to 5%) than the square ones. Adhesion turned out to be significant on the cemented carbide grades with high binder content (about 30 wt%).