Defect structures in diamond composite coated cemented tungsten carbide substrates

Abstract

Variability in the abrasive wear of PCD coatings on cemented WC substrates has been investigated. Six samples of PCD coated carbides were tested in a wear testing rig. The PCD coated element was used to turn an industry standard vitrified bonded corundum grinding wheel. The wear rate was measured as the weight loss of the cutting element per cubic metre of grinding wheel machined during the test. Two grades of cutting elements were observed. One grade had wear rates between 6 and 7.3 g/m3 but of the three poor quality samples, only one valid test was made realising wear rate of ∼7, 800 g/m3. The microstructures of the samples were studied using SEM, X-ray imaging, neutron diffraction and XRD..