AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF SIC ON THE SINTERING AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CR3C2-NICR CERMETS

Abstract

Cr3C2-NiCr type cermets have been used in cutting industry since World War II for their relatively low sintering temperatures and relatively low densities. Their high corrosion resistance at high speeds and temperatures increases interest to these materials. In this study, the powder mixture of 75wt% Cr3C2-25wt% NiCr with a Ni-Cr weight ratio of 4/1 was produced as master composite at 1350 degrees C for investigating its microstructure, micro/nano hardness and elastic modulus. SiC was added as reinforcement by decreasing the ceramic amount to study the effects on nanomechanical properties of Cr3C2-NiCr cermets. SEM and EDX analysis performed for identifying microstructures indicated that full densification occurs at 1350 degrees C for master cermets. By increasing SiC ratio in cermets, the densification and relative density of doped cermets were not decreased even increased except for 8wt% SiC addition. Nanoindentation and elastic modulus tests were performed to characterize the mechanical properties of cermets.