Erosive and Impact-abrasive Wear of Hardmetals with Fe-based Binders

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.