Microstructure Control and Mechanical Property Improvement Of Cr3c2-Ni Cermets by Using Solid-Solution Powders

Abstract

Cr3C2-based cermets have been strengthened and toughened significantly by using Cr3C2-TiC-WC composite solid solution powder with a particle size of 1-2 µm as starting material. 80(72Cr3C2-18TiC-10WC)-20Ni cermet sintered at 1200 ℃ for 1 h has excellent mechanical properties: bending strength of 1378 MPa, hardness of 88.7 HRA and toughness of 12.74 MPa·m1/2, which are 167.1%, 5.2% and 100.6% higher than those of 80Cr3C2-20Ni cermet. The application of the solid-solution powder not only effectively inhibits abnormal growth of Cr3C2 grains, but also eliminates residual porosity and strengthening Ni phase. Therefore, compared with the traditional method of adding single-component carbide powder, this study can  provide a useful reference for the preparation of high-performance Cr3C2-based cermets.

Keywords: Solid solution powder, Cr3C2-based cermets, Low-pressure sintering, microstructure, mechanical properties