Resumen

GOMES, C. M. F.; SILVA, A. G. P.; GOMES, U. U.  y  HOLANDA, J. N. F.. Microstructural and phase analysis of cemented carbide doped with rare-earths sintered via liquid phase. Matéria (Rio J.) [online]. 2006, vol.11, n.4, pp. 379-384. ISSN 1517-7076.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1517-70762006000400003.

The principal aim of this work is the microstructural and phases characterization of the cemented carbide (WC/10Co) doped with rare-earths (La₂O₃ and CeO₂). This cemented carbide is widely used as cutting tool. Several WC/10Co mixtures containing up to 3 wt % La₂O₃ and CeO₂ of the cobalt phase were prepared. The mixed powders were uniaxially pressed at 200 MPa in a cylindrical matrix (f = 10 mm). The compacts were sintered under vacuum at 1400ºC during 60 min. The relative density of the pieces was determined. The sintered pieces were submitted to X-ray diffraction and scanning electronic microscopy via secondary electron images. The results showed that, within the conditions studied, the addition of rare-earth elements influenced positively the densification of the WC/10Co cemented carbide during the sintering process. The sintered microstructure of pieces didn’t suffer significant modifications with the addition of the rare-earth elements studied.

Palabras llave : Cemented carbide; rare-earth; microstructure; XRD.