ISO/TC 119/SC 4 - Sampling and testing methods for hardmetals

This document specifies a generic test method to determine the abrasion wear characteristics of hardmetals. The test is appropriate for use in situations where test laboratories have a need to simulate abrasive damage. The procedure includes information which enables the test to be used in a variety of different conditions: a) with counterface wheels of different stiffness (for example steel and rubber); b) wet and dry; c) different abrasive sizes; d) different chemical environments.

This document gives guidelines for the measurement of hardmetal grain size by metallographic techniques only using optical or electron microscopy. It is intended for WC/Co hardmetals (also called cemented carbides or cermets) containing primarily tungsten carbide (WC[1]) as the hard phase. It is also intended for measuring the grain size and distribution by the linear-intercept technique. This document essentially covers four main topics: — calibration of microscopes, to underpin the accuracy of measurements; — linear analysis techniques, to acquire sufficient statistically meaningful data; — analysis methods, to calculate representative average values; — reporting, to comply with modern quality requirements. This document is supported by a measurement case study to illustrate the recommended techniques (see Annex A). This document is not intended for the following: — measurements of size distribution; — recommendations on shape measurements. Further research is needed before recommendations for shape measurement can be given. Measurements of coercivity are sometimes used for grain-size measurement, however, this document is concerned only with a metallographic measurement method. It is also written for hardmetals and not for characterizing powders. However, the method can, in principle, be used for measuring the average size of powders that are suitably mounted and sectioned. [1] DE: Wolframcarbid, EN: tungsten carbide.

This document specifies the methods of metallographic determination of the microstructure of hardmetals using photomicrographs.

This document specifies procedures for sampling and testing of hardmetals for the determination of their physical and mechanical characteristics.

This document specifies procedures for the sampling and testing of powder mixtures for the manufacture of hardmetals, using sintered test pieces. It also covers the preparation of test pieces.

ISO 4506:2018 specifies a method of determining the ultimate strength and proof stress of cemented carbide under uniaxial compressive loads.

ISO 4499-3:2016 gives guidelines for the measurement of microstructural features in Ti(C,N) based hardmetals and WC/Co hardmetals that contain additional cubic carbides by metallographic techniques only using optical or electron microscopy. It is intended for sintered hardmetals (also called cemented carbides or cermets) containing primarily inorganic carbides and nitrides as the hard phase. It is also intended for measuring the phase size and distribution by the linear intercept technique.

ISO 4499-4:2016 specifies methods for the metallographic determination of the presence, type, and distribution of porosity, uncombined carbon and eta-phase in hardmetals.

ISO 11876:2010 specifies a flame atomic absorption spectrometric method to be used for the determination of the mass fractions of copper, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sodium and zinc in cobalt metal powders in the range of 0,001 % to 0,01 %, calcium in the range of 0,002 % to 0,01 %, and iron and nickel in the range of 0,002 % to 0,05 %.

ISO 26482:2010 specifies a flame atomic absorption spectrometric and inductively coupled plasma spectrometric method for the determination of the lead and cadmium contents in hardmetals. The method is applicable to products having lead and cadmium contents between 0,000 1 % (mass fraction) and 0,1 % (mass fraction).

ISO 3908:2009 specifies a gravimetric method for the determination of the mass fraction of insoluble (free) carbon in carbides and hardmetals. This method is applicable to carbides of hafnium, molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium, tungsten and zirconium, mixtures of these carbides and binder metals, free of lubricant, and all grades of presintered or sintered hardmetals, produced from these carbides, having a mass fraction of insoluble carbon between 0,02 % and 0,5 %.

ISO 3907:2009 specifies a gravimetric method for the determination of the mass fraction of total carbon in carbides and hardmetals. This method is applicable to carbides of chromium, hafnium, molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium, tungsten and zirconium, mixtures of these carbides and binder metals, free of lubricant, all grade of presintered or sintered hardmetals, produced from these carbides, and having a mass fraction of total carbon exceeding 4 %.

ISO 28079:2009 specifies a method for measuring the Palmqvist toughness of hardmetals and cermets at room temperature by an indentation method. ISO 28079:2009 applies to a measurement of toughness, called Palmqvist toughness, calculated from the total length of cracks emanating from the corners of a Vickers hardness indentation, and it is intended for use with metal-bonded carbides and carbonitrides (normally called hardmetals, cermets or cemented carbides). The test procedures proposed in ISO 28079:2009 are intended for use at ambient temperatures, but can be extended to higher or lower temperatures by agreement. The test procedures proposed in ISO 28079:2009 are also intended for use in a normal laboratory-air environment. They are not intended for use in corrosive environments, such as strong acids or seawater.

ISO 3327:2009 specifies a method for the determination of the transverse rupture strength of hardmetals. This method is applicable to hardmetals of negligible ductility. If it is used for hardmetals showing significant plastic deformation before breaking, incorrect results may be obtained. In such cases, the method may be used for comparison purposes only.

ISO 17352:2008 specifies a test method, using graphite-furnace atomic absorption, to determine the mass fraction of silicon in cobalt metal powder with varying compositions within the range of 5 µg/g to 40 µg/g.

ISO 11877:2008 specifies a photometric method to be used for the determination of the mass fraction of silicon in the range of 20 µg/g to 300 µg/g in cobalt metal powders.

ISO 11873:2005 specifies the method to be used for the determination of sulfur and carbon in cobalt metal powders in the range of 0,001 % (m/m) to 0,1 % (m/m) by combustion in oxygen and infrared (IR)-detection of carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Specifies primary standard test blocks, secondary standard test blocks and working standard test blocks calibrated from master standard test blocks to be used for the verification of Rockwell hardness testing machines and indenters for testing hardmetals. This part of ISO 3738 should be read in conjunction with ISO 3738-1.

General requirements concerning the field of application, principle, interfering elements, apparatus, sampling and test report are given in ISO 7627-1.

Subsequent parts of ISO 7627 specify methods for determination of the content of a number of elements (see the table). The method is applicable to cabides of chromium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, mixtures of these carbides and binder metals, all grades of presintered or sintered hardmetals, produced from these cabides, and coated hardmetals, after total removal of coating, with the elements shown in the table.

General requirements concerning the field of application, principle, interfering elements,aparatus, sampling and test report are given in ISO 7627-1.

General requirements concerning the field of application, principle, interfering elements,aparatus, sampling and test report are given in ISO 7627-1.

General requirements concerning the field of application, principle, interfering elements,aparatus, sampling and test report are given in ISO 7627-1. In low concentrations the determination of these elements is very critical.

General requirements concerning the field of application, principle, interfering elements, apparatus, sampling and test report are given in ISO 7627-1.Determination of element contents in high concentration by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry method yields a wider scattering of results than are obtainable by other methods.

Cancels and replaces ISO 3738:1976. Gives principle,symbols, designations and values of parameters, apparatus, test pieces, procedure, expression of results and test report.

The method is applicable to carbide and binder metal powder mixtures, free of lubricant, and all grades of presintered or sintered hardmetals, with a titanium content exceeding 0,2 % (m/m). Specifies principle, interfering elements, reagents, apparatus, sample preparation, procedure, elimination of interferences, preparation of the calibration curve, expression of results and test report.

The solution method determines cobalt, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, vanadium and zirconium. Is applicable to carbides of niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium, tungsten and zirconium, mixtures of these carbides and binder metals, all grades of presintered or sintered hardmetals, produce from these carbides, with the minimum element contents shown in table 1.

Specifies methods for the determination of the presence, type, and distribution of porosity and uncombined carbon in hardmetals, furthermore apparatus, preparation of test pieces, procedure and test report. Figures show the types of apparent porosity and uncombined carbon.

The method is applicable to carbides and binder metal powder mixtures, free of lubricant, all grades of presintered or sintered hardmetals, having a cobalt content exceeding 1 % (m/m). Gives principle, interfering elements, reagents, apparatus, sampling, procedure, expression of results and test report.

ISO 3326:2013 specifies a method of determining (the magnetization) coercivity of hardmetals containing not less than 3 % of a ferromagnetic binder by mass.

ISO 28080:2011 specifies a generic test method to determine the abrasion wear characteristics of hardmetals. The procedure complements the ASTM G65 method for dry sand/rubber wheel abrasion, the ASTM B611 method for abrasive wear resistance of cemented carbides, and the ASTM G105 method for conducting wet sand/rubber wheel abrasion tests. The test is appropriate for use in situations where test laboratories have a need to simulate abrasive damage. The procedure includes information which enables the test to be used in a variety of different conditions: with counterface wheels of different stiffness (for example steel and rubber); wet and dry; different abrasive sizes; different chemical environments.

ISO 22394:2010 specifies the method of the Knoop hardness test for hardmetals.

ISO 4499-2:2008 gives guidelines for the measurement of hardmetal grain size by metallographic techniques only using optical or electron microscopy. It is intended for sintered WC/Co hardmetals (also called cemented carbides or cermets) containing primarily WC as the hard phase. It is also intended for measuring the grain size and distribution by the linear-intercept technique. ISO 4499-2:2008 essentially covers four main topics: calibration of microscopes, to underpin the accuracy of measurements; linear analysis techniques, to acquire sufficient statistically meaningful data; analysis methods, to calculate representative average values; reporting, to comply with modern quality requirements. ISO 4499-2:2008 is not intended for the following. Measurements of size distribution. Recommendations on shape measurements. Further research is needed before recommendations for shape measurement can be given. Measurements of coercivity are sometimes used for grain-size measurement, but this current guide is concerned only with a metallographic measurement method. It is also written for sintered hardmetals and not for characterising powders. However, the method could, in principle, be used for measuring the average size of powders that are suitably mounted and sectioned.

ISO 4499-1:2008 specifies the methods of metallographic determination of the microstructure of hardmetals using photomicrographs.

This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (i.e. ISO 3908:1976). The method is applicable to some carbides, mixtures of these carbides and binder, all grades of presintered or sintered hardmetals, produced from these carbides, having an insoluble carbon content between 0,02 and 0,5 % (m/m). Specifies principle, reagents, apparatus, sampling, procedure, expression of results and test report.

This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (i.e. ISO 3878:1976). Specifies principle, symbols and designations, apparatus, test pieces, procedure, expression of results and test report.

This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (i.e. ISO 3327:1975). Is applicable to hardmetals of negligible ductility. If it is used for hardmetals showing significant plastic deformation before breaking, incorrect results may be obtained. In such instances, the method may be used for comparison purposes only. Gives symbols and designations in table 1, dimensions of test pieces in table 2, and values of chamfer correction factor in table 3.

Specifies a method of determining the ultimate strength and proof stress of hardmetals under uniaxial compressive loads: a test piece, placed between two hardmetal bearing blocks, is axial loaded, until the intended deformation occurs or until the test apparatus, test piece, procedure, expression of results and test report.

Specifies symbols and designations, apparatus, preparation of test- pieces, procedure and test report. Figures show the different phases.

Relates to the sampling and testing of powder mixtures for the manucacture of hardmetals, using sintered test pieces, and to the preparation of test pieces.

Applies to the determination of the physical and mechanical properties of sintered hardmetals. Defines the terms "lot" and "test sample" and specifies test report.

Applies to hardmetals containing not less than 3% if a ferromagnetic binder by mass. Specifies principle, symbols and designations, apparatus, sampling, procedure, expression of results and test report.