Properties of titanium carbonitride matrix cermets

Titanium carbonitride matrix cermets were prepared according to normal powder metallurgical procedures. Their Vickers hardness (HRA) and transverse rupture strength (TRS) were measured, and their microstructures were observed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of WC/TiCN ratio, Co/Ni ratio and C/N ratio in TiCN solid solution on the property and microstructure of TiCN matrix cermets. With the increase of WC/TiCN ratio, the hardness increases. And when the WC/TiCN ratio is over 0.30, the transverse rupture strength (TRS) obviously decreases, which is attribute to the increasing thickness of rim. As the binder phase, when Co/Ni ratio is equal to 2.0, the material exhibits high transverse rupture strength and good hardness in this study. TiC0.5N0.5 matrix cermet has a high hardness and TRS. This is because of its microstructure with a finer and more dispersive hard phase and thinner rim.