Effect of Ball Milling on Microstructure and Flexural Strength of Ti(C,N)-Ni Cermets

Ti(C,N) cermets were prepared by SPS method. The effects of nickel salt coating as well as ball milling times on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the cermets were investigated. SEM images shows that the nickel was coated homogeneously on the surface of Ti(C,N) powders by mixing Ni salt and Ti(C,N) powder. The grains of Ti(C,N)-based cermets became finer with increasing ball milling time. The flexural strength increased when the balling milling was below 48h, and then decreased with increasing of ball milling time, which was due to the decrease of the flake structure in cermets.