FEM of stress partition during compression of WC-10 wt.% Co with realistic 3D morphology

A Finite Element Model is developed to represent the mechanical behavior of WC-10 wt.% Co in compression tests. In this research, realistic three-dimensional model is obtained by slicing a sample by Focused Ion Beam and reconstituting it, resulting in two interpenetrated phases. The brittle WC phase is defined as elastic. The Co phase includes plasticity. The post sintering cooling is simulated, followed by a loading–unloading compression cycle. The results are then compared with experimental data obtained by neutron diffraction. The residual thermal stresses in both phases are in good agreement with the data obtained by neutron diffraction, featuring high tensile stress in the Co phase and moderate compressive stress in the WC phase. The elastic strain in the Co phase shows a good agreement in the loading cycle, but presents some differences in the unloading cycle. The plastic model applied to the Co phase is then modified to improve the accuracy of the simulation, showing a final good agreement with the experiment.