Characterizations and mechanical properties of impregnated diamond segment using Cu‐Fe‐Co metal matrix

Abstract

Abstract Diamond impregnated Cu‐Fe‐Co based saw‐blade segments are directly processed by vacuum and pressure‐assisted sintering at different temperature, with the purpose of reducing the cobalt content in diamond tools. Copper and iron are used as the bonding elements and cobalt‐chrome pre‐alloyed powder is used as the hardening phase. Effects of sintering temperature on microstructures and mechanical properties of the sintered matrix and diamond graphitization were investigated by X‐ray diffraction analysis, electron probe micro‐analyzer, universal testing machine, digital Rockwell hardness tester and Raman scattering analyzer. Results showed that microstructures of the sintered matrix were refined and porosities in the sintered matrix were closed to a more spherical‐like shape with the increase of the sintering temperature. Densification, hardness and tensile strength of the matrix sintered at 820 °C were 12.75%, 2.72% and 156.38% higher than that of the matrix sintered at 740 °C, respectively. Diamond graphitization was not occurred at 820 °C. The hardness and the tensile strength rose 32.8% and 13.5%, respectively, after 7.5 h ageing treatment. The matrix densification ascent and the dispersed distribution of Co‐Cr pre‐alloyed powders contributed a hardness improvement and a tensile strength improvement to the Cu‐Fe based matrix.