Strengthening zones in the Co matrix of WC–Co cemented carbides

For conventional structural and tool materials, in particular WC–Co cemented carbides, hardness and wear-resistance can usually be increased only at the expense of toughness and strength. For the first time we have achieved a dramatically increased combination of hardness, wear-resistance, fracture toughness and strength as a result of precipitation of extremely fine nanoparticles in the cobalt binder of cemented carbides. These nanoparticles are ∼3nm in size, coherent with the Co matrix and consist of a metastable phase.