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Electron scanning microscopy analysis of fracture surfaces in laser welded samples of hardmetals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 August 2009

R. M. Miranda
Affiliation:
DEMI, Campus da FCT-UNL, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal IDMEC/LAETA, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1200 Lisboa
R. J. C. Silva
Affiliation:
CENIMAT/I3N, Campus da FCT-UNL, 2829-516 Caparica

Abstract

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Hardmetals of tungsten carbides in a cobalt matrix have been attempted to weld in similar joints by Nd/YAG laser in continuous wave mode. The combination of mechanical and thermo-physical properties of these materials poses a significant difficulty in welding these materials, especially for grades with low Co content, as 6 to 12% in volume. However, grades with higher Co content also showed a poor weldability. In fact, when welding hardmetals with a Co content of 25% in volume, a large amount of pores was observed on the fracture surface. Analysis under scanning electron microscopy showed these pores were coated with a thin film.Observations with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) revealed this film is rich in cobalt and is highly unstable. Figure 1 shows the characteristics of the film around a pore evidencing its corrugated aspect originated during rapid cooling conditions verified during laser welding.

Type
Materials Sciences
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2009