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Characterization of mechanical properties of tungsten carbide/carbon multilayers: Cross-sectional electron microscopy and nanoindentation observations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

N. J. M. Carvalho  and
J. Th. M. De Hosson
N. J. M. Carvalho
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Physics, Materials Science Center and Netherlands Institute of Metals Research, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
J. Th. M. De Hosson*
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Physics, Materials Science Center and Netherlands Institute of Metals Research, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author.[email protected]
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Abstract

Multilayers of tungsten carbide/carbon (WC/C) deposited by physical vapor deposition onto steel substrates were subjected to depth-sensing indentation testing. The investigation aimed at probing the influence of dissimilarities between the microstructure of the multilayers and substrate on the system mechanical properties. The resultant load-displacement data were analyzed both by conventional load-displacement (P-δ) and load-displacement squared (P-δ2) plots. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the occurrence of annular through-thickness cracks around the indentation sites can be identified from the load-displacement curve. Also, analysis of the lower part of the unloading curve permitted us to identify whether the coating had popped up by localized fracture. The cracking mechanism was characterized using a new technique for cross-sectional electron microscopy of the nanoindentations. The information retrieved with this technique eliminates the problems, inherent in assessing at this small contact scales, whether the fracture is by coating decohesion or by interfacial failure. In our case, it was demonstrated that the failure mechanism was decohesion of the carbon lamellae within the multilayers. The mechanical properties (hardness and effective Young's modulus) were also assessed by nanoindentation. The hysteresis loops were analyzed and discussed in terms of the method developed by Oliver and Pharr [J. Mater. Res. 7, 1564 (1992)].

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 16 , Issue 8 , August 2001 , pp. 2213 - 2222
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2001

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