A systematic investigation on the diamond wear mechanism during the dry scratching of WC/Co

Abstract

In the present work, the diamond wear mechanism during the scratching test is studied by Raman spectroscopy, backscattering electron scanning microscope (BSEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). As the impact pressure reached the fracture strength of the diamond, surface chipping of the diamond grits occurred as the dominated diamond wear mechanism, which resulted in the formation of scattered micro diamond flakes on WC/Co surface. The transformation of diamond to graphite and oxidation of graphite are identified at the chip formation stage during the diamond scratching of WC/Co. In addition, the formation of tetrahedrally bonded amorphous carbon phase is proposed as new wear mechanisms under the dynamic loads.