Wear Resistance of the Refractory WC–Co Diamond-Reinforced Composite with Zirconia Additive

Ratov B. Mechnik V. Hevorkian E. Rucki M. Pieniak D. Bondarenko N. Kolodnitskyi V. Starik S. Bilorusets V. Chishkala V. Sundetova P. Bektilevov A. Shukmanova A. Seidaliyev A.
May 2025 Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)

Materials
2025 #18 Issue 9

This paper provides deeper insights into the performance of diamond particulate reinforced refractory composites used for cutting tools in the oil and gas industries. In particular, 25C_diamond–70.5WC–4.5Co composites were enhanced with zirconia additives in proportions of 4 wt.% and 10 wt.% via the spark plasma sintering method. Wear tests were performed, and the analyses of elemental composition, morphology, and microstructure were completed. It was found that the addition of yttria-stabilized zirconia increased the plasticity of the matrix and thus introduced the ductile fracture mechanism, reducing the role of abrasive wear. As a result, the specific wear rate was reduced by 44% after the addition of 4 wt.% of zirconia and by 80% with 10 wt.% of ZrO₂. The presence of zirconia contributed to the increase in the retention force between the matrix and diamond grits, which further reduced the intensity of the abrasive mechanism.

composites , diamond , mining , rock cutting , tungsten carbide

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Department of Geophysics and Seismology, Institute of Geology and Oil and Gas K. Turysova, Satbayev University, Satpaev Str. 22, Almaty, 050013, Kazakhstan
V. Bakul Institute for Superhard Materials, National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Avtozavodska Str. 2, Kyiv, 04074, Ukraine
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Casimir Pulaski Radom University, Stasieckiego Str. 54, Radom, 26-600, Poland
Institute of Mechanical Science, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Sauletekio al. 11, Vilnius, LT-10223, Lithuania
Institute of Sustainable Technologies, Lukasiewicz Research Network, Pułaskiego 6/10, Radom, 26-600, Poland
School of Physics and Technology, V.N. Karazin, Kharkiv National University, 4 Svobody Sq., Kharkiv, 61022, Ukraine
Faculty of Engineering, Caspian University of Technology and Engineering Named After Sh. Yessenov, 32 mkr., Aktau, 130000, Kazakhstan
Faculty of Transport Engineering and Logistics, Satbayev University, Satpayev St. 22A, Almaty, 050013, Kazakhstan
Department of Petroleum Engineering, Satbayev University, Satpaev Str. 22A, Almaty, 050013, Kazakhstan

Department of Geophysics and Seismology
V. Bakul Institute for Superhard Materials
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Institute of Mechanical Science
Institute of Sustainable Technologies
School of Physics and Technology
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Transport Engineering and Logistics
Department of Petroleum Engineering

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