Effects of Nano-ZrO<sub>2</sub> on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ti(C,N)-Based Cermet Die Materials

Abstract

In recent, the development of new die materials is one of the important topics in the field of die research. In this paper, effects of nano-ZrO2 addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti(C,N)-based cermets were studied. The newly developed Ti(C,N)-based cermet die materials with different contents of nano-ZrO2 of 0~25wt% were prepared by hot pressing technique under vacuum atmosphere at 1450°C for 30min. Moreover, the microstructure of this Ti(C,N)-based cermet die materials was observed by environmental scanning electron microscope. It indicates that the comprehensive mechanical properties can reach the optimum when the weight percent of the nano-ZrO2 is 10%. The corresponding flexural strength and fracture toughness is 967 MPa and 13.62 MPa•m1/2, respectively which is approximately 65% and 110% higher than that of the cermet without nano-ZrO2 addition. It suggests that the addition of nano-ZrO2 can improve the mechanical properties especially the fracture toughness and flexural strength of Ti(C,N)-based cermet die materials.