Influencia de la microestructura en el comportamiento tribológico de carburos cementados (WC-Co) borados/Influence of microstructure in the tribological behavior of cemented carbides (WC-Co) boronized

• Published in: Ingeniare : Revista Chilena de Ingenieria 2015-04, Vol.23 (2), p.259
• Main Authors: Coureaux, David M, Sagaró, Roberto Z, Calzadilla, Jorge R, Mestra, Álvaro R, Llanes, Luis P
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Carbides; Tribology; Wear tests
• ISSN: 0718-3291; 0718-3305

This paper analyzes the microstructure evolution and its influence on tribological performance of WC-Co cemented carbide, with surface modified by a thermochemical borated treatment. This surface modification was implemented by the method of boronizing through solid powders. Microstructural and tribological characterization was done by inspection of the boronized layer, and the determination of the surface microhardness and wastage resistance were determined in boronized and non-boronized samples. The wastage tests were performed according to "block on ring" configuration, using AISI E52100 steel as counterpart. The results allowed for evaluation of the influence of microstructure on the treated area and on the surface properties in terms of micro-hardness and wastage resistance. The boronized surface presents an improvement of the tribomechanical properties, being more evident in the softer parts. Finally, the correlation between wastage rate and microstructural parameters was analyzed; attempting to identify the optimum microstructure for the application of boronized surface regarding to wastage resistance