The Microstructural Development of Laser-Powder-Bed-Fusion Manufactured Tungsten Carbide – Cobalt Hard Metals

Abstract As a result of their outstanding properties hard metals offer great potential in the tool industry. They are however expensive and geometrically limited when manufactured using conventional machining techniques. Additive manufacturing has the possibility to revolutionise the manufacture of such tools. The composition of hard metals consisting of a hard component within a binder phase in combination with laser based additive manufacturing can produce particular effects in the microstructural development of such materials. This article describes those particular microstructural developments which can be achieved in the powder metallurgical additive manufacturing of hard metals.