An investigation of metallic glass as binder phase in hard metal

Sammanfattning: In this study, the possibilities to produce metallic glass as binder phase in hard metal by means of powder metallurgical methods have been investigated. The aim of the study was to do an initial investigation about metallic glass as alternative binder phase to cobalt in hard metal. Production of samples with metallic glass forming alloys and an amorphous powder as binder phase in hard metal by means of quenching and hot pressing have been performed. Moreover, mechanical alloying of metallic glass forming powder to achieve amorphicity has been performed. The samples and powders were analyzed by means of XRD, LOM, STA, SEM and EDS. The results showed that no glass formation of the binder phase was achieved by quenching, hot pressing or mechanical alloying. However, interesting information about glass formation by means of metallurgical methods was obtained. The main conclusion was that production of metallic glass by means of metallurgical methods is complicated due to changes in the binder phase composition throughout the production process as well as requirements of high cooling rates when quenching and high pressures when hot pressing.