Mechanical properties and consolidation of binderless nanostructured (Ti,Cr)C from mechanochemically-synthesized powder by high-frequency induction heating sintering

Solid-solution nanocrystalline powder, (Ti,Cr)C, was prepared via high-energy milling of Ti alloys with graphite resulting in the B1 structure (NaCl-like structure) phase. The synthesis process was investigated in terms of the phase evolution by analyzing XRD data. The rapid sintering of nanostuctured hard (Ti,Cr)C materials was performed by a high-frequency induction-heating sintering process. This process allows quick densification to near theoretical density and inhibits grain growth. A dense, nanostructured (Ti,Cr)C hard material with a relative density of up to 97% was produced by simultaneous application of 80 MPa and an induced current of 15 kW for 2 min. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the resulting binderless (Ti,Cr)C were investigated.