An experimental investigation of element diffusion and mechanical properties of solid WC/Co carbide tool in high-speed milling Ti6Al4V

During high-speed milling Ti6Al4V, the diffusion process is produced under the actions of high temperature, high pressure at the tool-chip interface, and the differences of the concentrations and diffusion coefficients of various elements of tool and workpiece. In this study, dry end milling tests on Ti6Al4V were carried out with solid WC/Co carbide tool. The Vickers hardness of tool near and far away from the rake face boundary of a circumferential cutting edge, regarded as diffusion interface, was measured. The element removing of tungsten (W), carbon (C), and cobalt (Co) of WC/Co carbide tool was examined by the energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). And the relationship between element diffusion and the variation of mechanical properties of WC/Co carbide tool was discussed. The results showed that the decohesion and removing of the tungsten carbide (WC) and cobalt (Co) particles due to diffusion leaded to the change of mechanical properties of the WC/Co carbide tool, which may contribute to more severe tool wear. Copyright © 2015 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.