Possible mechanism of hard alloy strengthening by shock waves

Peculiarities of VK-6 alloy strengthening have been studied with methods of light microscopy, X-ray structure analysis, microhardness measuring. An alternative is viewed as to employ shock waves with an intensity of 35 - 40 kb for strengthening a sintered metal alloy with its preservation ensured. The paper describes a possible method of strengthening a sintered metal alloy on account of carbide brittle fracture and plastic deformation of a cobalt bond. As a result of higher hardness and dislocation density as well as binding element cold hardening in case of a plastic deformation, abrasion resistance has increased 1.5-2 times. A graph is presented showing variations of Hsub(μ) microhardness with respect to a hard-alloy plate. The microhardness sharply goes up to 1.875 kg/sq.mm at the contact surface with original Hsub(μ) being 1.200 kg/sq.mm and decreases depending upon depth. In case of an explosive strengthening porosity reduces and hence, hard alloy density goes up