Abstract
Two factors are thought to be important in characterizing the failure of cemented carbides: the resistance to crack initiation and to crack propagation. The fracture-mechanics approach used in this investigation provides an indication of this latter property and can also indicate the likely critical crack size for a given working stress. The specific experimental difficulties encountered in measuring the fracture toughness of cemented carbides are briefly described together with the techniques for overcoming them. The significance of the results for two grades of cemented carbide (WC-4%Co and WC-9%Co) are discussed with reference to a recently suggested crack-blunting and energy-dissipating mechanism.
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