Study on Strain Rate–Dependent Deformation Mechanism of WC–10 wt% Ni₃Al Cemented Carbide by Micropillar Compression

Herein, the strain rate–dependent deformation mechanism of WC–10 wt% Ni₃Al cermet micropillars is studied by in situ uniaxial compression. The results show that compression at high strain rates exhibits a relatively smooth stress–strain response compared with that at low strain rates. Microstructural characterization suggests that at high strain rates, grain boundary sliding is the dominant mechanism of deformation, whereas at low strain rates, dislocation annihilation plays the dominant role. The strain rate sensitivity index also varies with the strain rate from 1 × 10⁻² to 5 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹, confirming that the dominant deformation mechanisms change in this range.