Influence of aluminum nitride on the microstructure and properties of tic–vc-based cermet

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Published: 18-09-2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33108/
Keywords:
cermets, aluminum nitride, microstructure, physical-mechanical properties

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Ihor Koval
Ternopil Ivan Puluj National Technical University, Ternopil, Ukraine
Halyna Kramar
Ternopil Ivan Puluj National Technical University, Ternopil, Ukraine
Lyudmyla Bodrova
Ternopil Ivan Puluj National Technical University, Ternopil, Ukraine
Denys Babyak
Ternopil Ivan Puluj National Technical University, Ternopil, Ukraine
Yaroslav Kovalchuk
Ternopil Ivan Puluj National Technical University, Ternopil, Ukraine
Serhiy Marynenko
Ternopil Ivan Puluj National Technical University, Ternopil, Ukraine
Andriy Sorochak
Ternopil Ivan Puluj National Technical University, Ternopil, Ukraine

Abstract

Cermets based on TiC–VC with a Ni–Cr binder are used as alternatives to tungsten–cobalt hard alloys in various metalworking operations and under high-temperature conditions. Improvement of their physical and mechanical properties is achieved through the formation of a dense, fine-grained structure with a dispersion-strengthened binder by alloying with aluminum nitride (AlN) in amounts of 2.5, 5, 10, and 15 wt.%. The cermets were produced using the powder metallurgy method at a specific compaction pressure of 150–200 MPa, a sintering temperature of 1400–1500 °C, and a holding time of 40 minutes at these temperatures. A “Camscan 4-DV” microscope studied the microstructure of the cermets and the distribution of aluminum. Optimization of the cermet properties depending on the AlN content and sintering temperature was carried out using a method of mathematical experiment design in two stages: with variation of AlN content in the range of 5–15 wt.% in 5 wt.% increments and 0–5 wt.% in 2.5 wt.% increments. Established that the highest hardness exhibited by cermets containing a small amount of aluminum nitride was sintered at temperatures up to 1400 °C, while the maximum fracture toughness and high transverse rupture strength were achieved in cermets sintered at 1450 °C with AlN contents of 15 and 5 wt.%, respectively.

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