While the First Industrial Revolution focused on the production of textiles and the invention of the steam engine, the Second Industrial Revolution was typified by the invention of machinery for mass production.
Image Credit: COXEM Co. Ltd.
Key to the functionality of these machines is the precise manufacturing of components, which requires materials that are able to withstand high stresses and wear.
Cemented carbide, otherwise known as tungsten carbide (WC), is critical in this context. This article will outline a study that explored the surface properties of cemented carbide utilizing COXEM’s new Tabletop Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), the EM-40, offering insights into its composition and microstructure.
As mentioned above, the movement from the First to the Second Industrial Revolution was motivated by developments in machinery fabrication. A crucial element of this transition was the creation of materials that were capable of precision machining, in particular those with high degrees of durability and hardness.
Cemented carbide, an alloy consisting of tungsten carbide and cobalt, became a central material for shaping and cutting machine parts. With exceptional hardness, ranked third under diamond and ceramics, this material is indispensable for milling, turning, and machining high-hardness materials like steel wire.
Materials and Methods
As part of the study, cemented carbide samples were prepped for surface analysis utilizing COXEM’s Tabletop SEM, the EM-40. This SEM functions at a magnification of up to 250,000x and an accelerating voltage of up to 30 kV, allowing for a detailed examination of the alloy's surface. The samples were then examined to assess their elemental composition and microstructure, offering a comprehensive knowledge of their properties.
SEM Images of Tungsten Carbide powder, Coxem EM-40 5000X at 20 kV. Image Credit: COXEM Co. Ltd.
SEM Images of Tungsten Carbide composite, Coxem EM-40 30,000x and 10,000x at 20 kV. Image Credit: COXEM Co. Ltd.
Results
The SEM images that were obtained at 5,000x, 10,000x and 30,000x magnification successfully unveiled the complex microstructure of cemented carbide.
More specifically, the images highlighted the morphology and distribution of tungsten carbide grains embedded in a metallic matrix, which contributed to the material’s high hardness and wear resistance. Thanks to the capabilities of the EM-40, high-resolution imaging was possible, and detailed analysis of the alloy's surface was facilitated.
Discussion
The analysis was highly successful in demonstrating the fact that cemented carbide’s microstructure is characterized by a uniform distribution of tungsten carbide grains within the metallic matrix. This structure is critical for its application in machining operations, as it provides the necessary durability and hardness.
As seen above, the use of COXEM’s Tabletop SEM, the EM-40, proved to be highly effective in analyzing the surface properties of cemented carbide, providing valuable insights for industrial applications.
Conclusion
Cemented carbide is a key material in contemporary machinery fabrication, due to its excellent hardness and durability. The surface analysis performed utilizing COXEM’s Tabletop SEM, EM-40, offered a detailed understanding of its composition and microstructure.
Overall, this study indicates the significance of advanced analytical tools in the characterization of industrial materials, which contributed to the optimization of manufacturing processes.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by COXEM Co. Ltd.
For more information on this source, please visit COXEM Co. Ltd.