Comprehensive tests of sintered carbides in the aspect of conical picks operational life

The results of tests on the brittle fracture and abrasive wear of conical picks sintered carbides taking into account the size of tungsten carbide grains and the content of cobalt are presented. The tests were carried out on the innovative laboratory stand for tribological tests using the method for determination of resistance to edge fracture and abrasive wear. Test results have shown that an increase in the size of tungsten carbide grains, and thus an increase in the cobalt content, reduces the wear resistance and increases the resistance to brittle fracture. The results of the tests of sintered carbides inserts in the aspect of their durability are presented.