Effect of NbC on the microstructure and sinterability of Ti(C0.7, N0.3)-based cermets

This paper reports an investigation of the effect of NbC addition on Ti(C0.7, N0.3)–WC–Mo2C–xNbC–(Co, Ni) system. Ti(C, N)-based cermets studied in the present paper were sintered by pressure sinter. The results reveal that Mo2C has more important effect on the rim thickness than NbC. When the additive content of NbC is 5 (wt%), the additive content of Nb is not less than the solubility of Nb in the hard phase of (Ti, X)(C, N). The redundant Nb dissolves in the binder phase. Compared to the addition of TaC, the present research finds that the addition of NbC can lower the sintering temperature.