Application of confocal laser scanning microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and the profilometric method in quantitative fractography

The paper presents methodology and results of a quantitative description of profiles and fracture surfaces of chosen grades of sintered carbides subjected to three-point bending. Three grades of WC-Co type sintered carbides (H30, G10, B23G) with different sizes of tungsten carbide particles (from 0.5 to 8.0 μm of average diameter) were tested. Quantitative descriptions of the fracture profiles and surfaces were performed using confocal laser microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and profilometry methods. With experimental conditions of the measurements preformed, their possibilities and limitations were analyzed. An attempt towards an evaluation of the individual methods regarding their labor consumption was made.