Properties of nanostructured TiCN and TiCNTiAl hard materials sintered by the high-frequency induction-heating

In the case of cemented TiCN, Ni or Co is added as a binder for the formation of composite structures. However, the high cost of Ni or Co and the low corrosion resistance of the TiCNNi cermet have generated interest in recent years for alternative binder phases. In this study, TiAl was used as a binder and consolidated by the high-frequency induction heated sintering (HFIHS) method. Highly dense TiCNTiAl with a relative density of up to 100% was obtained within 2 min by HFIHS under a pressure of 80 MPa. The method was found to enable not only the rapid densification but also the inhibition of grain growth preserving the nano-scale microstructure. The average grain sizes of the sintered TiCN and TiCNTiAl were lower than 100 nm. The addition of TiAl to TiCN enhanced the hardness and toughness due to increase of relative density.