This paper illustrates the effect of silicon addition to the cobalt-cemented tungsten carbide system and includes a description of relevant processing and characterization of tested materials. Hardness (HRa), transverse rupture strength (TRS), high stress wear resistance and fracture toughness were determined, and differential scanning calorimetry and thermal expansion analyses were conducted. Silicon addition improves wear resistance by more than 60% with a concomitant reduction of fracture toughness and transverse rupture strength. Tested compositions exhibited significantly lower sintering temperature than conventional cemented carbides and may lead to many potential new applications. The fracture toughness vs. wear resistance plot of silicon alloyed cemented carbide indicates this system to be a "step-up material" as compared with conventional cemented carbide.
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