Microstructure, preparation and properties of TiC-Fe/ FeCoCrNiMn cermet with a core-rim structure

Abstract

High entropy alloys (HEAs) have become an ideal material for preparing cermets because of their properties, such as high hardness, good wear resistance, and excellent heat resistance. In this paper, TiC-Fe/HEA cermet was prepared by vacuum sintering with Fe powder, HEA(FeCoCrNiMn) powder, and TiC particles. The effect of HEA content on the microstructure and properties of TiC-Fe cermet was studied, and the preparation process of cermet was optimized. The results show that the cermet grains without HEA are angular or polygonal, while the cermet grains with HEA are round and oval. With the addition of HEA, the grain size decreased at first and then increased. In addition, with increasing HEA content, the hardness, transverse rupture strength, and fracture toughness of cermet first increased and then decreased, while the relative density decreased slightly. HEA had the best properties among these HEA cermets at 10 wt%, and its hardness, transverse rupture strength (TRS), and fracture toughness (KIC) reached 1530 HV30, 980 MPa, and 10.57 MPa•m1/2 respectively. Compared with cermet without HEA, these values were increased by 36%, 20%, and 11%, respectively.