Effect of NiCrP on the properties of FeCoCu-based matrix for diamond sawing tools

Sintered diamond beaded ropes rely heavily on the microstructure and physical properties of their matrix, which directly influence mechanical pserformance and durability. Although FeCoCu-based materials are commonly used as matrix materials, their properties can be limited by thermal erosion and interfacial compatibility during sintering. Enhancing these interfacial interactions is critical, yet the effect of Ni 76 Cr 14 P 10 alloy additions on the microstructure and overall performance of FeCoCu-based sintered samples remains insufficiently understood. In this study, Fe 65 Co 20 Cu 15 pre-alloy powder was synthesized via the co-precipitation and modified with varing contents of Ni 76 Cr 14 P 10 alloy to investigate its influence on microstructure and mechanical properties in sintered diamond beaded ropes. Mechanical tests showed that with increasing Ni 76 Cr 14 P 10 content, hardness, bending strength, relative density, and wear resistance initially improved but decreased beyond an optimal content. The matrix containing 2 wt% Ni 76 Cr 14 P 10 exhibited the best performance, achieving the relative density of 97.28 %, the hardness of 113.2 HRB, the bending strength of 1299.6 MPa, and the abrasion loss of 0.4659 g. Addition of Ni 76 Cr 14 P 10 improved the diamond-matrix interfacial bonding. It promoted the formation of a metallurgical bond, primarily via the reaction of Cr with diamond to form chromium carbides at the interface, as confirmed by thermodynamic analysis and TEM. These findings demonstrate that the strategic addition of 2 wt% NiCrP optimizes the microstructural characteristics of FeCoCu-based matrix, substantially improving mechanical and wear properties in sintered diamond beaded ropes. This study provides a valuable pathway for tailoring matrix compositions to enhance the performance and longevity of diamond tools in industrial applications.