Micro-Analysis of the Use of RE and TiH2 in the Fabrication of Iron-Based Diamond Segments

• Published in: Key engineering materials 2003-01, Vol.250, p.83-88
• Main Authors: Xu, Xi Peng, Dai, Qiu Lian, Wang, Yung Cheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1013-9826; 1662-9795; 1662-9795
• DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.250.83

This paper is concerned with a micro-analysis of the use of rare-earth (RE) and TiH2 in the fabrication of iron-based diamond segments. Together with the measurements of the wear resistance of diamond impregnated segments on a specially designed device, an optical microscope, a scanning electronic microscope and an X-ray spectrometer were used to evaluate the sintering with RE and/or TiH2. It was found that the size and the amount of pores in the iron-based metal bond decreased due to an addition of 0.8% RE rich with Ce. A metallic layer was formed on the surfaces of diamond particles embedded in the RE containing matrix, indicating a good bonding between the diamond particles and the bond matrix. The wear resistance of the diamond impregnated segments were consequently increased due to the addition of RE. However, it was surprisingly found that more pores were formed in the iron-based bond and more serious graphitization was generated on diamond particles due to an addition of 2%TiH2, which might be attributed to the formation of TiO2 prior to the formation of TiC.