FE-modelling of the deformation behaviour of WC-Co alloys

Abstract A systematic study has been made by Finite Element (FE) modelling on the initial elastic and plastic stress-strain behaviour of a WC-Co alloy in terms of microstructural parameters such as volume fraction, shape, and arrangement of Co areas. Factors which may affect the accuracy of the FE calculations, such as mesh geometry, mesh density and model size, are considered in some detail. The trends shown by the FE simulations are in agreement with published experimental data. Deviations of the FE-calculated flow curves from experiment at large strains are explained in terms of incipiant damage to the carbide skeleton.