Heterogeneous strain responses of as-sintered cemented carbide

Abstract The heterogeneous interactions between the pre-existing thermal residual stress and external compression in the WC-Co cemented carbide are investigated, where the microstructural characteristics are taken into account simultaneously. A new method for creating three-dimensional finite element model based on real microstructure of the cemented carbides was proposed. The deformation behavior of the as-sintered cemented carbide was quantified and demonstrated in detail. The results indicate that among the heterogeneous distribution of strain responses in the dual-phase microstructure during compressive loading, the layer-like metal binder distributing in the transverse cross-section with respect to the direction of compression has the earliest strain response. The microcracks may preferentially nucleate at these regions due to the largest accumulation of plastic deformation. It is suggested that the activation sequence of dislocation slip systems in the metal binder can be changed by the anisotropic distribution of stress.