Effect of Cr and V on phase equilibria in Co–WC based hardmetals

New measurements of the influence of Cr and V on the melting temperature of the binder phase in Co-based hardmetals are presented. It was shown that both Cr and V affect the melting temperature significantly. Cr decreases the melting temperature by over 100°C, and V by approximately 40°C. This is due to the high solubility of Cr and V in liquid Co, and this solubility was determined by experiments and calculations. The solubility of Cr in solid fcc-Co is also discussed, as well as the composition of the MC, M 7 C 3 and the M 6 C carbides in alloys with Cr and V. The new experimental information is used to obtain a reliable thermodynamic description of the binder phase (Co-rich) in C – Co – Cr – W and C – Co – V – W alloys. Calculated equilibria are compared with experiments.