[T15] Hard Materials

[16F-T15-05] Erosive and Impact-abrasive Wear of Hardmetals with Fe-based Binders

*M. Tarraste¹, M. Antonov¹, M. Kolnes¹, M. Viljus¹, A. H. Ormus¹ (1.Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia)

Keywords:hardmetals, cemented carbides, wear resistance, erosive wear, alternative binder

The economic and environmental considerations are increasingly compelling the hardmetal industry to reduce or even eliminate the use of traditional binder metals, such as nickel and cobalt. Fe-based alloys and steels have emerged as the most promising candidates for developing entirely Ni/Co-free hardmetals. While pure Fe is less effective as a binder phase, the austenitic FeMn and ferritic FeCr alloys show potential as competitive alternatives to standard well-established binders. This work examines the performance of alternative cemented carbides under abrasive-erosive wear conditions and compares them with conventional WC-Co hardmetals. Materials with different properties and microstructures are tested in high velocity erosive and impact-abrasion conditions. The focus is on the resulting wear rate and corresponding wear mechanisms. The findings suggest that, at comparable hardness levels, hardmetals with Fe-based binders can match or even exceed the wear resistance of traditional hardmetal compositions.