Reactive carburizing sintering—A novel production method for high quality chromium carbide–nickel cermets

Reactive carburizing sintering is a novel process where synthesis reaction of the carbide phase is combined with liquid phase sintering of the Cr3C2–Ni cermet. This recently developed method is compared with traditional cermet industry routine. Powder of chromium, nickel, and carbon black were milled in a high-energy ball mill (attritor) to nanocrystalline size and pressed to compacts. During the next step—thermal treatment—the chromium carbide is formed and the cermet is sintered in one cycle. It is shown that mechanical properties, erosion, and wear resistance depend on the carbide-to-binder ratio, sintering parameters, and manufacturing technique. Reactive sintering allows for the acquisition of a uniform fine-grained cermet with high mechanical and tribological properties and to decrease the production costs of alloys.