Processing and Microstructure of WC-CO Cermets by Laser Engineering Net Shaping

Submicron-sized tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC-Co) powder and nanostructured WC-Co powder were applied to make thick wall samples by the Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS®) process. It was found that decomposition and decarburization of WC was limited during laser deposition because of the features of the LENS® process: high cooling rate, short heating time, and low oxygen concentration. The effects of working distance, as well as laser power, powder feed rate, and traverse speed on microstructure were studied in this paper. Thermal behavior leading to the observed microstructures that result from the variations in the processing parameters was investigated in detailMechanical Engineerin