Effect of VC and nano-TiC addition on the microstructure and properties of micrometer grade Ti(CN)-based cermets

The effect of VC and nano-TiC addition on the microstructure of micrometer grade Ti(CN)-based cermets sintered by low pressure sintering was investigated. Low pressure sintering can effectively improve the density of cermets. Compared with HIP, low pressure sintering has low cost and saves one working procedure. The results reveal that the addition of VC can inhibit both the normal growth and abnormal growth of grains. The fracture mode of Ti(CN)-based cermets is brittle fracture. Both the intergranular fracture and transgranular fracture occurs in the samples when Ti(CN)-based cermets fracture. And the rim phase is the weakest phase in Ti(CN)-based cermets. The instability of cermets properties increases with the increase of nano-TiC addition content.