ECM of cemented carbides with various microstructure

The present work is focused on the electrochemical behavior of WC-Co in alkaline mixed electrolytes under near-ECM conditions. Potentiodynamic measurements were carried out on WC6Co with various microstructures in ammoniacal sodium nitrate electrolyte. SEM investigation of the surface after machining evidences a simultaneous dissolution of the binder phase and the hard phase in the electrolyte. Additionally, galvanostatic experiments coupled with analysis of the dissolved reaction products by polarography were carried out to investigate the current efficiency of the machining under the chosen conditions.