Effect of the complete solid-solution phase on the microstructure of Ti(CN)-based cermet

Microstructural analyses were undertaken of Ti(CN)-based partially-complete solid-solution cermets (PSS). They are prepared from Ti(CN)-based carbide cermet (TCC) blended with the (Ti,W)C complete solid-solution phase (CSS) in order to evaluate the effect of the CSS on TCC. All of the systems analyzed in this study show a typical core-rim structure. The proportion of CSS content was varied from 5 to 50 wt.%. A large CSS content induced the formation of coreless solid-solution phases and remarkable changes in the microstructure of the PSS cermets in contrast to the initial TCC. Increasing CSS content led to a decrease in the total area fraction of Ti(CN) cores of the TCC and the growth of the rim. The toughness of the PSS was improved greatly with the addition of CSS. The obtained results indicate that the addition of CSS enables the control of the microstructure and mechanical properties of carbide cermets.