TiC–Cr 3 C 2 –WC–TiB 2 –SiC-Based Cermets

The analysis of modern approaches in choosing compositions of cermets based on TiC carbide and Ni matrix doped with additional Mo, W, Cr, Nb, and Ta carbides is carried out. The hardness and transverse strength of the cermets based on TiC carbide and Ni matrix increases with the use of additional Mo, W, Cr carbides owing to the formation of an annular zone around TiC. The calculated microhardness of carbides in the cermet increases with an increase in their volume fraction and with the use of Mo, W, and Cr carbides. On the basis of an analysis of the literature, TiC–Cr3C2–WC–TiB2–SiC–Mo–B–Si–Ni cermets with additional carbon content for plasma coatings are proposed and studied. Mechanical alloying and liquid phase sintering at temperatures of 950, 1250, and 1450°C are used to evenly distribute the carbides in the base phase and to establish strong bonds between them with high values of microhardness, up to 2438 kgf/mm2 at a load on the indenter of 20 G and 2030 kgf/mm2 at a load on the indenter of 200 G. The maximum values of microhardness are obtained at higher sintering temperatures at which the minimum content of oxygen is fixed. The positive effect of carbides based on W, Mo, and Cr on the organization of a strong titanium carbide compound with a base phase is confirmed experimentally, which is proved by the calculated value of the contribution of microhardness of TiC carbide to the cermet microhardness. At a volume fraction of the carbides of 77% and a load on the indenter of 20 G, the contribution of microhardness of the carbide is equal to 2906 kgf/mm2, which is close to the TiC hardness of 3200 kgf/mm2. This contribution of microhardness is equal to 2145.5 kgf/mm2 at a load on the indenter of 200 G.