Effect of Pressure of Nitrogen Atmosphere on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ti(C, N)-12WC-16Ni-4Mo2C Cermet

The effect of sintering atmosphere and nitrogen pressure on microstructure of Ti(C, N)-12WC-16Ni-4Mo(2)C cermet were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy (OM), the transverse rupture strength (TRS), porosities, volume fractions of phases and grain sizes were determined. Results show that nitrogen pressure has a significant impact on TRS, appropriate nitrogen pressure could improve TRS. Vacuum sintering promotes the densification of sintered body, however, nitrogen atmosphere sintering could gain maximal TRS. Nitrogen atmosphere sintering facilitates the formation of inner rim phase and reduces the dissolution of TiC and TiN, small grain size is gained.