Exploring Microstructural Properties, Phase Transformations, and Wettability in High-Chromium Content Iron-bonded Ti(C,N)-based Cermet

As the industrial and scientific communities embrace sustainable manufacturing and resource-efficient consumption, replacing traditional cobalt and nickel-based binders, along with tungsten carbide-based hardmetals, becomes essential. This study examines the impact of sintering temperature on the microstructural evolution and phase transformations of “green”, high-chromium content, iron-bonded Titanium Carbonitride (Ti(C,N)-FeCr) cermets. Comprising 70wt.% Ti(C,N), Fe, and 26 binder wt.% Cr, the cermet was sintered in a vacuum furnace. A clear connection was established between the microstructural evolution, mechanical properties, and wetting behavior of the cermet. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy (OM) revealed improvements in grain shapes, binder distribution, and dihedral angles with increasing sintering temperature. However, mechanical properties peaked at an optimal temperature of 1550°C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the formation of M7C3 carbides, Ti(C,N), and FeCr phases, validating the phase diagram calculations. Enhanced wettability of FeCr bonded Ti(C,N) cermet was also demonstrated.