Assessment of mechanical properties at microstructural length scale of Ti(C,N)–FeNi ceramic-metal composites by means of massive nanoindentation and statistical analysis

It is well known the interest of the scientific community in substituting the traditional cemented carbides (WC–Co) by alternative ceramic-metal systems. In this regard, Ti(C,N)-based cermets arise as excellent candidates due to their exceptional mechanical, tribological and thermal properties. In this work, microstructurally different Ti(C,N)–FeNi cermets were processed using a combination of colloidal and powder metallurgy techniques. Three distinct ceramic/metal phase ratios were used: 85/15, 80/20 and 70/30 (volume fraction) of Ti(C,N) and FeNi respectively. Microstructural parameters and micromechanical properties (hardness and stiffness) of the three composite systems and their constitutive phases were assessed. Small-scale hardness was evaluated by means of massive nanoindentation testing and statistical analysis of the gathered data, under the consideration of three mechanically different phases: Ti(C,N) particles, metallic binder and a composite-like one, corresponding to probing regions containing both constitutive phases. It is found that values of local hardness for both composite-like and metallic phases increase as the ceramic/metal phase ratio rises. In particular, local hardness values are determined to be significantly distinct for the metallic binder in the three cermets investigated. Results are discussed and rationalized on the basis of the constrained deformation imposed for the harder phase to the softer and more ductile one. Estimated effective flow stress values for the metallic binder as well as detailed inspection of crack-microstructure interaction and fractographic features point out the effectiveness of FeNi as reinforcement phase and toughening agent for Ti(C,N)-base cermets.