Preparation and oxidation kinetics behavior of bulk Cr3C2-20 wt % Ni cermets

Abstract

In this study, bulk Cr3C2-20 wt % Ni cermets were successfully fabricated by high-energy milling and pressureless sintering in a vacuum furnace. Microstructures, elements distribution, and high temperature oxidation mechanism were researched by SEM, EPMA, and differential thermal analyzer (DTA), respectively. Oxidation kinetics regularity of bulk Cr3C2-20 wt % Ni cermets was investigated at 600–800 °C for the first time. Isothermal cyclic oxidation experiments were studied using the heat-treatment furnace for 100 h. The results indicated that the porosity decreased, while the hardness, bending strength, and fracture toughness increased with an improvement in the vacuum degree. Cr3C2-20 wt % Ni cermets displayed outstanding oxidation resistance and the dynamic oxidation curves followed the parabolic rate law. Besides, the oxidation rate constants increased three orders of magnitudes with an increase in the oxidation temperatures from 600 °C to 800 °C. The mechanism of the oxidation resistance was the generation of the protective and dense oxide layers on the sub-surface of the oxidation specimens, which hindered the diffusion of Cr3+, Ni2+, O2 and effectively protected the substrate from further oxidation.