It is well-known that the control of carbon content in cemented carbide production is crucial. The amount of carbon directly determines the phase composition of the grade of cemented carbide, leading to significant differences in the strength, hardness, density, magnetic properties, and vascular structure of the final product. When the carbon amount deviates too much from the two-phase zone, it will generate free carbon (F.C) and carbon-deficient phase. The appearance of this phase will result in a significant decrease in material properties. In the sintering process, the amount of carbon (T.C) changes. When the composition of the alloy is determined, the carbon content in the production process becomes the core of its process control.
In the production of cemented carbide, the change in carbon content is not only related to the oxygen content in the product, the atmosphere in the furnace, and the process system. In addition, it is also related to the structure of the equipment and the graphite boat used. Through the experimental graphite boat structure on TiCN-(Ta.W)C-CO/Ni) cemented carbide vacuum removal molding agent, the experts came to the following conclusions:
In the process of removing the forming agent by vacuum, the ark boat is smoother than the round boat in the exhaust process. There is no dead space on the edge of the ark boat. It can effectively use the space of the furnace and the carbon potential is even, which is beneficial to the total carbon control in the production process.
