Stabilization of the Microhardness of Hard Alloy VK6 Cutting Plates Modified by Fast Electrons by Cryoprocessing

The effect of cryoprocessing on stabilization of VK6 hard alloy after irradiation by 5-MeV electrons was studied. Samples of similar microstructure were selected by measuring the structurally sensitive coercivity. Irradiation of VK6 hard alloy by fast electrons increased its microhardness by 30% as compared to the original samples. The microhardness of hard alloy VK6 samples after irradiation by fast electrons depended on the initial surface structure. The ground and polished surfaces of VK6 hard alloy were found to have different stress structures. Irradiation by fast 5-MeV electrons did not lead to formation of new phases. VK6 hard alloy was annealed in air at 30 – 100°C to determine the retention of the increased hardness of irradiated samples. Cryoprocessing could consolidate the increased surface microhardness and wear resistance after irradiation of VK6 hard alloy.