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Mechanical properties of chromium–chromium sulfide cermets fabricated by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis

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Abstract

Metal sulfides are widely used in a variety of applications requiring high hardness and toughness. In this study, the microstructure and mechanical properties of chromium–chromium sulfide cermets are investigated. The chromium–chromium sulfide cermet was manufactured using self-propagating high-temperature synthesis, a process where the material is created under a self-sustaining combustion reaction between the chromium and sulfur. This type of synthesis allows the creation of near-net shape structures and offers the possibility of tuning material properties and material behavior by changing the composition of the reactant. Microstructural characterization was performed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The mechanical properties of the cermet (Young’s modulus, fracture toughness, flexural strength, and microhardness) have been measured and related to morphology and chemical composition of the samples. Results show that dense cermets (about 7 % porosity) with specific structure have been obtained. Pure CrS has a significant hardness, but its toughness was insufficient for tool applications. However, we found that the density and fracture toughness of the cermets increase with the addition of Cr. The addition of Cr also improved the flexural strength and hardness of the cermet by 60 % and almost 38 %, respectively.

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Acknowledgements

This Project was supported under NSERC Strategic Grant “Design and Net-shape Manufacturing of Hybrid Composites for Ballistic Protection” with Francois Barthelat serving as principal investigator. The authors would like to thank Deju Zhu for his contributions in mechanical characterization methods. The authors also appreciate the effort of Alexander Capozzi for his input regarding the synthesis of chromium sulfide samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, 817 Sherbrook Street West, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C3, Canada

    Atefeh Nabavi, Samuel Goroshin, David L. Frost & Francois Barthelat

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  1. Atefeh Nabavi
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  2. Samuel Goroshin
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  3. David L. Frost
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  4. Francois Barthelat
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Correspondence to David L. Frost or Francois Barthelat.

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Nabavi, A., Goroshin, S., Frost, D.L. et al. Mechanical properties of chromium–chromium sulfide cermets fabricated by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis. J Mater Sci 50, 3434–3446 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-8902-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-8902-7

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