Effects of Cr3C2 addition on the erosion–corrosion resistance of Ti(C,N)-based cermets in alkaline conditions

• Erosion–corrosion behavior is classified into 4 categories with variation in Cr3C2.
• Cermets with 5 wt% Cr3C2 have the best erosion–corrosion resistance.
• There is a ceramic skeleton on eroded–corroded surface of cermets with 7 wt% Cr3C2.
• Corrosion resistance of cermets in alkaline conditions is deteriorated by Cr3C2.
• The dynamic condition accelerates remarkably the corrosion degradation of binder.

Effects of Cr3C2 on the erosion–corrosion behavior of Ti(C,N)-based cermets are studied in alkaline conditions. The results indicate that the erosion–corrosion resistance of cermets is improved with proper Cr3C2 content. Corrosion performance of cermets is deteriorated by Cr3C2 addition in NaOH solution. With the increase of Cr3C2, the erosion–corrosion behavior of Ti(C,N)-based cermets is classified to be erosion regime, erosion–corrosion regime, corrosion–erosion regime and corrosion regime. Materials degradation is determined by particles erosion for cermets with low Cr3C2 content, while for materials containing more Cr3C2 addition, binder corrosion and subsequent erosion are responsible for materials deterioration.