ABSTRAKT

The process of crack propagation from the pore in modeled microstructures of the submicron and nanostructured WC/Co hard alloys with different volume fractions of the cobalt phase was studied. Strengths of these alloys were found. The correspondence of the energy release rate to the component fracture toughness was the criterion of crack propagation through cobalt interlayers and carbide grains. To calculate energy release rate, the stress state was simulated by the finite-element method. It was shown that stresses required for crack propagation reach the maximum value, when the crack comes up to the middle of the cobalt interlayer after tungsten carbide destruction.