Crack Deflection in Tungsten Carbide Based Laminates

Laminate materials were manufactured by alternating WC-6%Co layers with equal thickness layers of one of the following compositions: WC-16%Co, WC-16%Ni, Co, a W-Ni-Fe alloy, and Ni. One composition used WC-6%Ni in place of WC-6%Co, layered with the W-Ni-Fe alloy. Flexure specimens, consisting of nine alternating layers, were fabricated with either WC-6%Co or WC-6%Ni on the tensile surface of the specimen. The ability of these composites to deflect or arrest cracks was investigated in four point bending. Two of the compositions, WC-6%Co/W-Ni-Fe and WC-6%Co/Ni, exhibited the ability to fail non-catastrophically, showing inelastic work of fracture as high as 34,400 J/m2.