Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of Ti(C,N)–FeCrMo-based green cermets

This work aims to develop Co and Ni-free Ti(C,N)–Fe-based cermets which are essential for developing cermets in the direction of green and low-cost materials. TiC and Ti(C,N) -based cermets prove to evince excellent mechanical properties at high temperatures as compared to conventional WC-based cermets. A binder system based on Cr, Mo, Fe, and their alloys may offer a viable solution to replace carcinogen elements such as Ni and Co from the binder. In the present work, high chromium Ti(C,N)-30 wt% FeCrMo cermets were fabricated by using Pressureless liquid-phase sintering. Samples at different sintering temperatures were prepared to investigate the influence of the temperature on microstructural formation and their mechanical characteristics. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is employed to observe the microstructural formation. A microstructural analysis of the consolidated cermets reveals that the addition of Mo to the binder system and an increase in sintering temperature affect the carbide grain size and densification, which ultimately affect their mechanical characteristics. The hardness and fracture toughness were determined by the Vickers hardness test and Indentation fracture toughness (IFT) method respectively. The maximum Hardness, Fracture toughness, and Transverse rapture strength achieved for the Ti(C,N)–FeCrMo-based green cermets are 665 ± 6.7 MPa, 1396 ± 26 HV30, and 9.23 ± 0.12 MPa m1/2 respectively.