Characterization of TiC-FeCrMn Cermets Produced by Powder Metallurgy Method

Abstract

TiC-NiMo cermets combine relatively low density with high hardness. Because nickel is known as a toxin and allergen and allergy to nickel is a phenomenon which has assumed growing importance in recent years there has been a flurry of activity to find alternatives to the nickel binder in cermets. It is also the global research and technical development trend in the powder metallurgy cermets industry. In present research TiC-based cermets with FeCrMn binder system were fabricated. Three different sintering conditions were used (vacuum sintering, sinter/HIP and sintering under low Ar pressure). Because of high vapor pressure of manganese different sintering conditions and technologies were investigated to depress the Mn-loss during sintering. Chemical composition of TiC-FeCrMn cermets after different sintering conditions were analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and mechanical properties – hardness and fracture toughness were evaluated on the samples. Results of research showed that Ni-free TiC-based CrMn-steels bonded cermets compare unfavorably with cermets bonded with CrNi austenitic steels in terms of fracture toughness and corrosion resistance. Noticeable Mn-loss during vacuum sintering can be avoided when sintering under low Ar gas pressure.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.21.3.7364