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Microstructure, Fracture Behavior, and Mechanical and Frictional Properties of Ti(C0.7N0.3)-Based Cermets Containing Graphene

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Abstract

Multilayer graphene as an extra carbon source was introduced into a Ti(C0.7N0.3)-based cermet, and the microstructure, fracture performance, and mechanical and frictional properties of the cermet were investigated in the current work. The results suggested that the number of undissolved Ti(C0.7N0.3) phases (dark cores) was reduced in the microstructure, while the (Ti, W, Mo) (C, N) solid solutions with more W and Mo but less Ti (bright cores) increased as the graphene content increased. Moreover, the ratio of the rim ((Ti, W, Mo) (C,N) solid solutions) thickness to the undissolved Ti(C0.7N0.3) core size gradually increased. Some high-carbon areas were found among (Ti, W, Mo) (C, N) solid solution rims when no less than 1.5 wt.% graphene was added, and it was finally confirmed that these high-carbon areas contained more graphene. When 0.75 wt.% graphene was added, the cermet with a moderate rim thickness and small dark cores had the highest flexure strength and hardness. The cermet containing excessive graphene had a high-volume fraction of high-carbon areas, and cracks propagated easily through these areas, leading to lower fracture toughness. The appropriate addition of graphene can reduce the friction coefficient and wear rate of Ti(C0.7N0.3)-based cermets at high temperatures.

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Acknowledgments

The National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51634006) and the Sichuan Province Science and Technology Support Program (CN) (2021JDTD0025) supported this work. We also appreciate Hui Wang from the Analytical and Testing Center, Sichuan University, for helping obtain SEM images.

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  1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China

    Lei Liang, Tianen Yang, Xianke Shi & Ji Xiong

  2. Chengdu Mingwu Science and Technology Corp., Ltd., Chengdu, 610100, China

    Qiwen Zheng

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Liang, L., Zheng, Q., Yang, T. et al. Microstructure, Fracture Behavior, and Mechanical and Frictional Properties of Ti(C0.7N0.3)-Based Cermets Containing Graphene. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 31, 7757–7771 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-022-06786-5

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