Determination of the composition range suitable to the formation of WC–(V,W)Cx–Co materials

Abstract The phase equilibria of the system W–V–C–Co are determined experimentally in the composition range corresponding to small additions of VCx in the cemented carbides WC–Co and to larger VCx contents in the hard materials WC–(V,W)Cx–Co. The results are obtained from the microanalysis of the phase compositions in samples heat-treated at 1450 and 1200 °C. Two four-phase fields, { Co solution + WC +( V , W ) C x + C } and { Co solution + WC +( V , W ) C x + η }, are determined. The narrow domain between the two four-phase fields defines the composition range suitable to the formation of the hard materials WC–(V,W)Cx–Co. Some interfacial features important for the microstructure of the materials are underlined.