LAUSR

Abstract The Composite powders of Commercial TNGG160402R–S inserts were used to prepare Ti(C, N)-based cermets, in order to investigate the morphology evolution, Composition, Com and Hc properties. Mo2C and WC were first dissolved in Ni–Co binder at 1150 °C, resulting in the formation of M6C (Co3W3C). Precipitation of (Ti, W, Mo, Ta, Nb)(C, N) solid solutions occurred around 1300 °C, with totally dissolved WC/Mo2C/TaC/NbC in Ni–Co binder. With increasing the sintering temperature from 800 °C to 1460 °C, the mass content of carbon, oxygen and nitrogen was decreased from 7.73%, 1.81% and 6.21%–7.24%, 0.32% and 6.05%, respectively. The value of Com was inversely proportional to the lattice parameter of Co. The sudden decreased Hc from 1350 °C to 1400 °C was caused by the rapid densification via the liquid sintering. Compared with the Commercial products, cermets contained residual M6C after vacuum sintering, with nonuniform morphology, thinner rims on black cores, and finer grains. Vacuum sintering for Ti(C, N)-based cermets favors an increased internal stress at the core-rim interface. Promising Ti(C, N)-based cermets need carefully controlling the sintering atmosphere, in order to decrease or even avoid the rapid loss of nitrogen during the solid-state sintering.