Analyzing the effect of sawtooth temperature on WC-10Co/B318 steel joint of band saw blades using FE simulation

Cemented carbide saw blades offer significant advantages like high cutting efficiency and good cutting performance in the processing of metal materials, especially hard-to-cut alloy materials. The appropriate interface state between carbide and metal matrix is a critical factor for achieving its machining performance. In this study, the joint of WC-Co10 and B318 steel was numerically investigated for various temperatures and thermal cycle parameters in terms of the joint’s stress and strain. The elastic-plastic properties of materials with temperature were followed to conduct simulations. The minimum temperature caused a plastic strain in the joint was determined. Additionally, effects of the temperature parameters on the stress distribution shape and plastic zone along the interface were presented by equivalent stress/strain in detail. As a result of the study, it was determined that obvious stress concentration appeared in the vicinity of the WC-Co/steel interface under temperature, and when the temperature reaches 176 °C, plastic behavior took place at both ends of the joint. The plastic region extended towards the interface center with increasing temperature. During the thermal cycling, the thermal ratcheting of plastic strain occurred at points of the joint, and it was also determined that there was a moderate correlation between ratcheting shakedown state and times of thermal cycles, although the cycle temperature ranges were different.