Methods for atom probe study of near surface zones in cemented carbides

摘要

Methods to prepare atom probe specimens fromnear-surface regions of cemented carbide cutting tool inserts havebeen developed. The preparation technique involves dimplegrinding and electropolishing. The specimens are prepared parallelto the surface to allow pulse electropolishing without changing thedepth from the surface. The material studied is a gradient sinteredWC-Ti (C, N)-Co based cutting tool insert with a gradientthickness of 35 um. We have so far been able to produce a tipwithin 5+-2um form the zone border. Furthermore, the methodmakes to possible to prepare tips from as close as 10 um from thesurface. An atom probe of a region near the zone border is presented.