Bending fracture strength of a WC-Co alloy finished by abrasive flow machining process

The bending fracture strength of a commercial WC-Co alloy finished by abrasive now machining process was examined by three points bending test, using two kinds of specimens pre-processed by wire-EDM and grinding It was found that this abrasive now machining process increased the bending fracture strength of pre-WED by 60% and of pre-Grinding by 10% at maximum, respectively This big strength increase of pre-WED was ascribed to the facts that the abrasive now machining process changed the surface tensile residual stress to the compressive one and removed micro cracks existed in surface layer. Further the relative small strength increase in pre-Grinding was discussed on the basis of improvement in surface roughness and decrease in the amount of surface residual stress of compression side, caused by abrasive now machining process. Finally it was concluded that the abrasive flow machining process is the effective finishing process for a WC-Co alloy with both effects of increasing the strength and giving the enough surface property.