Fabrication and tribological properties of WC-TiB2 composite cutting tool materials under dry sliding condition

Abstract Microstructure, mechanical properties and tribological properties of WC-TiB 2 composites sliding against 201 stainless steel were investigated. With increasing TiB 2 content from 10 wt% to 30 wt%, the relative density and mechanical properties increased, and the defects in the microstructure decreased. The friction coefficient not only decreased with increasing the sliding speed but also decreased with increasing the applied load. The formation and fracture of the composite coatings played an important role in the contact surface, which led to the formation of the wear mechanism of adhesive wear and abrasive wear. The specific wear rate of WC-TiB 2 composites increased with increasing normal load and sliding velocity, respectively. WC-30 wt%TiB 2 composite showed the better Tribological properties than WC-10 wt%TiB 2 composite and WC-20 wt%TiB 2 composite.