Annealing behaviour of sub-stoichiometric Ti(C,N)-W mechanical alloy powders

► The annealing behaviour of Ti(C0.5N0.05)-40 wt.% W and Ti(C0.5N0.5)0.6-40 wt.% W mechanically alloyed powders was investigated. ► The reaction start and finish temperatures between constituents were lower in the system that had higher residual lattice strains after ball milling. ► Thermal alloying or thermal decomposition could occur depending on the type of Ti(C,N) used and milling time. ► The composition of Ti(C,N), milling time and the annealing temperature determined the type and stability of the solid solutions and compounds formed.