Effect of WС Content on the Mechanical Properties and High Temperature Oxidation Behavior of Ti(С,N)-Based Cermets

Abstract

Ti (C,N)-based cermets with varying WC additions (Ti (C0.6N0.4)-36Ni-12Mo-1C-xWC, x = 0, 3, 6 and 9 wt%) were prepared by conventional powder metallurgy techniques. The microstructure and mechanical properties of all four Ti (C,N)-based cermets were investigated. Isothermal oxidation of all four cermets were also investigated in air at 800°C up to 100 h using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The grains of Ti (C,N)-based cermets became more homogeneous with the increase of WC content. The TRS and fracture toughness increased with the increase of WC content and then decreased when WC content exceeded 6wt%, but hardness decreased continuously with the increase of WC content. The oxide scales formed on the surface of all four samples during the oxidation process were porous and multi-layered, consisting of NiO outerlayer and TiO2 based innerlayer, respectively. The thickness of the oxide scales and oxidation rates increased with the increase of WC content, especially when the content of WC addition reached 9wt%. The cermet with 6wt% WC addition showed excellent mechanical properties and acceptable high temperature oxidation resistance.