Deformation and elastic properties of WC-Co system sintered carbides in micro- and macroindentation

This paper investigates the deformation properties of the WC-Co alloys and their constituents in micro- and macroindentation with recording of the force-indentation depth curve. The investigatins in microindenttion were made on an MINT-6 microinterference hardness tester. Tests were made both on specimens and on finished sintered carbide parts with a rate of movement of the indentor of 8 X 10/sup -7/ m/sec. For the WC-Co alloys with different cobalt contents the modulus of elasticity determined from the indentation curve agrees satisfactorily with that obtained by the ultrasonic method.