Effect of sintering on microstructures and properties of sub-micron Ti （C, N）-based cermets

The influence of different sintering processes, including vacuum sintering, vacuum sintering followed by HIP and sintering-HIP, on the microstructure and properties of sub-micron Ti(C,N) cermets with various binder contents was studied. Image analysis based on back-scattered electrons image observations was used to determine the morphologic and structural characteristics. Transverse rupture strength(TRS), hardness, fracture toughness were measured and TRS data were treated by Weibull statistics further. It is shown that a very significant improvement in TRS can be obtained by HIP or sintering-HIP treatment for the alloys with lower and middle binder content at the controlled cooling rate, but the effect is not obvious for the alloys with higher binder content. HIP is also helpful for improving the hardness of sub-micron Ti(C,N) cermets, however, but can lower the fracture toughness. The varia-tion of these properties was interpreted in terms of the difference in morphologic and structural characteristics.     

Comparative study of the fabrication of ultrafine Ti（C,N）-based cermets by spark plasma sintering and conventional vacuum sintering

Spark plasma sintering (SPS) and conventional vacuum sintering (VS) were employed to fabricate ultrafine Ti(C,N)-based cermets. The shrinkage behavior, microstructure, and porosity and mechanical properties of the samples fabricated by SPS were compared with those of the samples sintered by VS using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, universal testing machine, and rockwell tester. The results are as follows: (1) The shrinkage process occurred mainly in the range of 1000-1300℃ during the VS process, and only a 0.2% linear shrinkage ratio appeared below 800℃；during the SPS process, a 60% dimensional change occurred below 800℃ as a result of pressure action. (2) By utilizing the SPS technique, it is difficult for obtaining fully dense Ti(C,N)-based cermets. Due to the much existence of pores and uncombined carbon, the mechanical properties of the sintered samples by SPS are inferior to sintered ones by VS. (3) grain size of the samples sintered by SPS is still below 0.5μm, but not by VS; because of low sintering temperature, there are no typical core/rim structures formed in the sintered samples by SPS1; the main microstrures of the sintered samples by SPS2 are a white core/grey shell sstructure, whereas by VS show a typical black core.grey shell structure.     

Evolution of Ti （C, N）-based cermet microstructures

Two series of Ti(C, N)-based cermet materials originating from the same chemical composition but with dif-ferent grain size distribution and sintered to different stages of the sintering cycle have been studied using SEM, TEM,EDX, and XRD. Much of the surrounding structure is formed during solid state sintering. During the solid state sintering, at first, the Mo and W rich (Ti, Mo, W)C inner rim is formed by the interaction among TiC, WC, and Mo2C; then the Mo and W lean (Ti, Mo, W)(C, N)outer rim is formed. During the liquid phase sintering, the outer rim of coarse grains grows rapidly throw a solution-reprecipitation process; aLso coarse grains grow by particle coalescence. The interface between coarse grain outer rim and binder is flat (crystal surface).     

Fabrication and mechanical properties of WC-Co-Al2O3 nanocomposites by spark plasma sintering

Small amounts of nanocrystalline Al2O3 particles were doped in WC-Co nanocrystalline powders to study their reinforcing effects, and spark plasma sintering technique was used to fabricate the WC-Co-Al2O3 nanocomposites. Experimental results show that the use of Al2O3 nanoparticles as dispersions to reinforce WC-Co composites can increase the hardness, especially the transverse rupture strength of the WC-Co hardmetal. With addition of 0.5%(mass fraction) Al2O3 nanoparticles, the spark plasma sintered WC-TCo-0. 5Al2O3 nanocomposites exhibit hardness of 21.22 GPa and transverse rupture strength of 3 548 MPa. The fracture surface of the WC-TCo-0.5Al2O3 nanocomposites mainly fracture with transcrystalline rupture mode. The reinforcing mechanism is maybe related to the hindrance effect of microcracks propagation and the pinning effect for the dislocations movement, as well as the residual compressive strength due to the Al2O3 nanoparticles doped.     

Effect of VC addition on the microstructure and properties of Ti（C,N）-based nano cermets

In this paper, Ti(C,N)-based nano cermets were prepared by nano particles, and the effect of VC addition on the microstructure and properties of Ti(C,N)-based nano cermets was investigated. The results showed that there existed black-core grayish-rim structure as well as gray-core grayish-rim structure in VC-doped Ti(C,N)-based nano cermets. With the increase of VC addition, the number of gray cores increased, the lattice parameter of Ti(C,N) phase increased, the grain size decreased, the hardness and fracture toughness of Ti(C,N)-based nano cermets were enhanced, and nearly full densification could be achieved. However, excessive addition of VC to 1 wt% resulted in slight decrease in hardness and fracture toughness. Some deep dimples were found in the fracture surface of cermets with VC addition, which corresponded to ductile fracture.     

Influence of preparation process on sintering behavior and mechanical properties of ultrafine grained Ti（C, N）-based cermets

The influences of forming and sintering processes on distortion, cracking as well as mechanical properties of sintered bodies of ultrafine grained Ti（C, N）-based cermets were investigated. The results show that lubricant is indispensable to fabrication of ultrafine Ti（C, N）-based cermets, however, with low binder content in powder mixture, the lubrication action of paraffin is attenuated. A appropriate level of 2% （mass fraction） paraffin is determined for a cermet with binder content of 36% （mass fraction）. It is also found that the influence of compaction pressure on distortion and cracking of sintered bodies presents a complex relationship. A relatively lower or higher compaction pressure, less than 100 MPa and more than 400 MPa respectively, favors uniform density distribution in green compact. The heating rate of sintering should be strictly controlled. Too fast heating rate results in enclosed pores to burst and forms large size pores in sintering body. A heating rate of 3 ℃/min is recommended.     

Microstructure and properties of p-type （Bi0.25Sb0.75）2Te3 fabricated by spark plasma sintering

P-type thermoelectric material （Bi0.25Sb0.75）2Te3 was sintered by spark plasma sintering（SPS） process in the temperature range of 320-420℃. The microstructures of sintered materials were found to be well aligned, particularly when sintered at lower sintering temperatures. The electrical conductivity of the material became larger as the sintering temperature increased. The Seebeck coefficient showed a general decreasing tendency with an increase in sintering temperature. In terms of the power factor, the optimum sintering temperature was found to be 380 ℃ for a maximum value of around 2.6 mW/K.     

Effect of hot isostatic pressing nitrogen on the microstructure and properties of a Ti（C, N）-based cermet

The high-temperature, high-pressure hot isostatic pressing technology was used for depositing hard coatings on Ti（C, N）-based cermets. The rnicrostructure and properties of the sample were investigated using optical microscopy, scan- ning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron probe microanalysis, and microhardness tester. The results showed that the rich titanium and nitrogen in surface zone were induced by the heat treatment. The high nitrogen activity of the surface region was the driving force for outward transport of titanium and inward transport of tungsten in the cobalt binder. The toughness and hardness were improved and a hardness gradient was formed. It is the high-temperature, high-pressure N2 that enables closure of holes, thereby alleviating defects and prolonging tool life.     

Microstructure and shear strength of the brazed joint of Ti（C,N）-based cermet to steel

Firm joins were obtained between Ti(C,N)-based cermet and steel with Ag-Cu-Zn-Ni filler metal by vacuum brazing. The effects of technological parameters such as brazing temperature, holding time, and filler thickness on the shear strength of the joints were investigated. The microstructure of welded area and the reaction products of the filler metal were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), metallographic microscope (OM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The brazing temperature of 870°C, holding time of 15 min, and filler thickness of 0.4 mm are a set of optimum technological parameters, under which the maximum shear strength of the joints, 176.5 MPa, is achieved. The results of microstructure show that the wettability of the filler metal on Ti(C,N)-based cermet and steel is well. A mutual solution layer and a diffusion layer exist between the welding base materials and the filler metal.     

纳米TiN改性Ti（C, N）基金属陶瓷的组织和性能

采用真空烧结法制备纳米TiN改性的Ti（C, N）基金属陶瓷,研究不同金属相对纳米改性Ti（C, N）基金属陶瓷组织和力学性能的影响。结果表明：除经典的黑芯/灰壳组织外,添加纳米TiN的金属陶瓷在黑芯内还出现灰芯结构;纳米TiN主要分布在陶瓷相颗粒的晶界处;相对于未添加纳米TiN的金属陶瓷,添加纳米TiN粉末能明显提高金属陶瓷的抗弯强度、硬度与断裂韧性;对纳米TiN改性的金属陶瓷而言,金属相Ni能提供更好的抗弯强度与断裂韧性,而金属相Co则能带来更高的硬度。     

Microstructural evolution and characteristics during sintering of submicron Ti(C,N)-based cermet

1　INTRODUCTIONThebasiccompositionofTi(C ,N ) basedcer metsisTi(C ,N)andNi.IthasbeenknownthattheadditionofMoorMo2 Cisnecessarytoensuregoodwettability[1] ,andWCorothercarbidesareoftenaddedtoimprovetheplasticityofhardgrainsandhothardnessofthecermets[2 ] .Ti(C ,N) basedcermetsconsistmainlyofcarbonitride grainsandmetalbinder.The“core rim”structurewithinthehardgrainsisthetypicalmicrostructureofcermets .Thecarbonitride phaseenrichedMoandW (therimphase)hasbeenfoundtosurroundthe Ti(C ,…     

Effect of VC addition on sinterability and microstructure of ultrafine Ti(C, N)-based cermets in spark plasma sintering

The effect of vanadium carbide (VC) addition on the sinterability and the microstructure of ultrafine Ti(C, N)-based cermets consolidated through spark plasma sintering (SPS) was systematically investigated using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM) with X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Our results reveal that the addition of VC increases the porosity of sintering body and depresses the sinterability of Ti(C, N)-based cermets. It is also found that the VC addition has a significant influence on the microstructure of ultrafine Ti(C, N)-based cermets, which inhibits the dissolution of titanium-containing compounds and the formation of inner rim phase and outer rim phase, thus preventing from grain growth. Owing to the depressed dissolution and precipitation, nitrogen liberation is mitigated, therefore resulting in less amount of graphite phase in the samples. In substance, VC changes the solubility of metallic elements in the binder, which makes more elements of Mo and W to be reserved in the binder and thus greatly decreases the content of titanium dissolved into the binder. The re-building solubility rule determines the development of phases and microstructure.     

Ti(C,N)基金属陶瓷的芯-壳显微结构与性能研究

以TiC、TiN为原料,Ni、Co为粘结剂,WC、Mo2C、TaC、C、Cr3C2为添加剂,采用真空热压烧结工艺制备Ti(C,N)基金属陶瓷材料。借助于SEM、EDS和XRD分别分析其显微结构、组成和物相,并测试其性能。结果表明:按配方(质量分数,%):TiC:41.2,TiN:10,Ni:7,Co:7,Mo2C:12,WC:15,TaC:6,Cr2C3:0.8,C:1配料,在1450℃,30MPa热压制得的试样晶粒细小,具有完整的芯-壳显微结构。其主要性能为:相对密度99.12%,维氏硬度22.74GPa,断裂韧性10.1MPa·m1/2,抗弯强度1192.83MPa。     

高能球磨制备Ti(C,N)基金属陶瓷硬质相超微粉

对Ti(C,N)基金属陶瓷硬质相TiC、TiN、WC原料粉在不同球料比、不同球磨时间试验条件下进行高能球磨,探讨了TiC、TiN、WC粉体的高能球磨超细化机理和球磨行为特征。试验表明随球料比和球磨时间的增加,TiC、TiN、WC粉体得到细化,但达到一个极小值后细化趋于稳定。利用沉降法测试粉末粒度分布并在扫描电镜下观察粉末的形貌和粒度,发现在10∶1球料比下球磨96h后可以有效制备得颗粒粒度为0.20μm的金属陶瓷硬质相超微粉。