Effect of Molybdenum on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of TiC-Fe Cermets

Abstract

The influence of Mo addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the TiC-Fe cermets has been studied. The specimens with different contents of Mo (4-8 wt.%) added into the TiC-Fe cermets were fabricated by conventional powder metallurgy and vacuum sintered at temperatures of 1440 °C. The microstructure and mechanical properties such as bending strength, impact toughness, hardness, wear resistance were investigated. The micrographs with different Mo content show that the final grain size of carbide phase became smaller and the specimens became more homogeneous and compact with increasing Mo content from 4 wt.% to 8 wt.% in raw powders. The mechanical properties measured show that the bending strength, impact toughness and wear resistance are the best when the Mo content is 6 wt.%.