Abstract
For the purpose of strengthening the binder phase of TiC base cermets, we investigated the effect of 0.5-2% Al addition on mechanical and cutting properties.
The results obtained are as follows;
1) The hardness of sintered compacts increased almost linearly with Al content.
2) By means of X-ray diffraction, it was recognized that the binder phase of the alloys containing 0.5% and 1.0% Al consists of both y and γ' phases. On the other hand, in the case of 2% Al addition, the microstructure consists of only γ' phases
3) It was shown that transverse-rupture strength of the alloys drops with increase of Al content. 4) The alloy containing 1% Al showed the most excellent wear resistance in continuous steel cutting test; the result can be explained in terms of the effect of γ' precipitation hardening. While the alloy containing 2% Al showed somewhat lower wear resistance presumably because of the effect of the negative temperature dependence of the strength of γ'.
