Abstract
A fine grained Ti(C, N) cermet tool material was prepared by two-step spark plasma sintering. Microstructure evolution and densification mechanisms of Ti(C, N) during spark plasma sintering were studied. Effect of two-step sintering process and Ni content on microstructure and mechanical properties were also investigated. The critical activated densification temperature of Ti(C, N) is about 1300 ℃, and the rapidest densification rate takes place at 1300 ℃~1400 ℃. Grains are in the size of 1 µm when the Ti(C, N) cermet was prepared by two-step spark plasma sintering. The optimal flexural strength, fracture toughness and Vickers hardness are 1094 ± 42 MPa, 7.2 ± 0.5 MPa m1/2 and 18.3 ± 0.4 GPa, respectively. The Ti(C, N) cermets containing more content of Ni have higher toughness, which is due to the remarkable toughening effect of crack bridging by large grains.
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