On gradient formation in alternative binder cemented carbides

In this work ICME (Integrated Computational Materials Engineering) has been applied to help understanding gradient formation in today's state-of-the-art cutting tool inserts. The approach was used to carefully design the experimental setup to learn about the controlling mechanisms on gradient formation in Co/Ni/Fe binder systems. The model considers activities, phase fractions and solubilities of diffusing elements in the liquid in these multicomponent systems. It was observed that the gradient thickness is the same for Ti-W-C-N-Co and Ti-W-C-N-Ni at 1410 °C - despite the higher solubility of Ti in liquid Ni compared to Co. This was also true for more complex Ti-Ta-Nb-W-C-N-Co and Ti-Ta-Nb-W-C-N- Fe-Ni at 1410 °C in this study. At 1450 °C the gradient thickness increases for all binders, showing a large increase in the gradient thickness. The thickest gradient was observed for X = Ni in the Ti-W-C-N-X system and thinest for X = Fe binder despite similar N and C activity differences. The Ti-Ta-Nb-W-C-N- Ni-Fe (85Ni-15Fe) had a thicker gradient compared to the Ti-Ta-Nb-W-C-N-C-Co system. •ICME Integrated Computational Materials Engineering applied to understand gradient formation in alternative binder systems•Relative g​radient thickness comparison at 1410 °C and 1450 °C reveals the influence of binder composition•Gradient thickness and cone enrichment can be tailored in Co/Ni/Fe binder systems by carefully design of composition