Compression strength of tungsten carbide–cobalt hard metals

Abstract Eight tungsten carbide (WC) materials containing different cobalt (Co) contents (3‒12 wt.%) and with different WC grain sizes (.4‒1.85 μm) were subjected to compressive loading under quasi‐static and dynamic conditions using a dumbbell‐shaped specimen geometry. The materials exhibited varying degrees of inelastic strain prior to final fracture under both loading conditions. Inelastic strain was consistent under dynamic loading but varied with Co content and WC grain size under quasi‐static loading. The only material to exhibit a strain‐rate‐dependent compression strength was the material containing the highest level of Co (12%) and the largest WC grain size (1.85 μm) indicating a potential threshold level of Co content and/or WC grain size where the compressive strength is insensitive to the strain rate.