En studie av metodbyte vid sintring av hårdmetaller till mikrovågsintring samt dess ekonomiska fördelar
Självständigt arbete i teknisk fysik med materialvetenskap & Självständigt arbete i kemiteknik
The aim with this study was to investigate the effects a change of manufacturing process would have on the mechanical properties of drill bits made of a WC/Co composite used for stone cutting. The method used today is sintering, where the material is heated in a conventional sintering oven. The other method was microwave sintering, where the material is heated by radiation in the microwave region. Also an investigation of the manufacturing cost were made.The main difference between the two heating methods is that the conventional way is a rather slow process and the microwave method is very fast. The material is also heated homogeniously in the method with mirowaves, aposed to the case with the conventional sintering where the material is heated from the outside in.This makes the material harder and more wear resistent. Another positive effect is that the pysical properties of the drill bits is easier to controll, because of the very small grain growth due to the short process time.The cost of manufacturing these drill bits by microwave sintering does not exceed the cost of the conventionall sintering.