Improvement of microstructure,mechanical properties and cutting performance of Ti(C,N)-based cermets by ultrafine La2O3 additions

Ti(C,N)-WC-Mo₂C-TaC-Co-Ni cermets with various content of La₂O₃ were prepared by gas-pressure sintering at 1450 °C. The effects of ultrafine La₂O₃ additions (0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 wt%) on the microstructure, mechanical properties, wear resistance and cutting performance of cermets were explored. In the microstructure of cermets, the La₂O₃ particles and dissolved La element in binder phases were observed, which could inhibit the dissolution-precipitation process of ceramics phases during liquid-sintering. Furthermore, the La₂O₃ could absorb and react with the impurity Al element with low melting point from raw powders, avoiding the appearance of liquid phase at the low temperature and partial overheating during sintering process. These mechanisms could inhibit the abnormal growth of Ti(C,N) core-(Ti,W,Mo,Ta)(C,N) rim structures effectively, leading to the thinning of brittle rim phases and coarsening of wear-proof Ti(C,N) particles. The decrease of proportion of brittle rim phase and ultrafine Ti(C,N) particles promoted the fracture toughness. The increase of proportion and grain size of Ti(C,N) improved the hardness, wear resistance and cutting performance significantly. However, the excessive addition of La₂O₃ would result in the agglomeration of La₂O₃, causing the sharp decline of mechanical properties and cutting performance. The cermet with 0.1 wt% La₂O₃ addition possessed the optimal mechanical properties with Vickers hardness, transverse rupture strength and fracture toughness of 1710 (HV30) Kgf/mm², 2480 MPa and 11.7 MPa m^1/2, respectively.