Effect of particle size on microstructure and element diffusion at the interface of tungsten carbide/high strength steel composites

The microstructure and micro-hardness of tungsten carbide/high strength steel (WC/HSS) composites with different particle sizes were analyzed by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultra-high temperature laser confocal microscopy (UTLCM) and micro-hardness testing. The composites were prepared by cold pressing and vacuum sintering. The results show that WC density tends to increase as the average grain size of WC decreases and the micro-hardness of WC increases with the decrease of WC particle size. The micro-hardness of WC near the bonding interface is higher than that in other regions. When the particle size of WC powder particles is 200 nm, a transition layer with a certain width is formed at the interface between WC and HSS, and the combination between the two materials is metallurgical. The iron element in the HSS matrix diffuses into the WC structure in contact with it, resulting in a fusion layer of a certain width, and the composite interface is relatively well bonded. When the average particle size of WC powder is 200 nm, W, Fe and Co elements significantly diffuse in the transition zone at the interface. With the increase of WC particle size, the trend of element diffusion decreases.