Influence of carbon on the formation of γ/γ′ microstructure and κ-phase in the WC/Co–Ni–Al–W system: ab initio calculations and experimental studies

Abstract Modifications of the binder phase ( γ ) cemented carbides have potential to increase hardness and wear resistance whole material. Partially, coherent precipitations with L1 2 structure (γ’) promise these improved properties without sacrificing tensile strength or toughness. ’ is a metastable in Al–Co–W ternary system form Co 3 (Al,W) which stabilized by substitution cobalt nickel. Superalloys composition Co–(30Ni)–9Al–7 W different carbon contents were prepared inductive melting, resulting microstructures analysed using SEM–EDS, XRD Vickers hardness. Cemented / microstructure via DTA, equilibria composite material investigated experimentally silico. It was shown that nickel stabilizes superalloys as well carbides. Carbon leads formation an additional E2 1 (κ). DTA measurements aluminium–cobalt–nickel mixtures gave overview compositional influence. Enthalpies for compounds calculated ab initio methods compared experimental results. Graphical