Effects of secondary carbide addition on the mechanical properties of (Ti_1-xTM_x)C-based 20Ni cermets (TM = V, Mo, and W): a study combining ab initio calculation and experimental results

ABSTRACT

In recent years, significant efforts have been devoted towards the development of high-performance cermets with superior hardness and fracture toughness for engineering applications. In this study, a (Ti_1-xTM_x)C solid solution of a Ni cermet was prepared based on a combination of ab initio calculation and experimental results. The structural stability, mechanical properties, and microstructure of the cermet were investigated. A screening process was conducted using ab initio calculations to determine the optimal composition of (Ti_1-xTM_x)C (TM = V, Mo, and W) (x = 0–0.3125). The enhancement of the mechanical properties was analysed by calculating the electronic properties of the (Ti_1-xTM_x)C solid solutions. Additionally, we evaluated the powder morphology, microstructure, and mechanical properties of (Ti_1-xTM_x)C–20Ni by using experimental methods. The (Ti_0.7W_0.3)C–20Ni cermet exhibited enhanced hardness and fracture toughness in relation to conventional TiC–Ni cermets. Computational and experimental results indicated that the addition of secondary carbides improved the overall material properties.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• TiC-based solid solution cermets
• secondary carbides
• ab initio calculation
• electronic properties
• mechanical properties

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Soongsil University Research Fund (New Professor Support Research) of 2019.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data abailability

All data generated or used during the study appear in the submitted article.

Author contributions

Jiwoong Kim conveyed the idea and designed and supervised the study; Myungjae Kim and Hyokyeong Kim developed the theory and performed ab initio calculations; Jiho Kim and Jinyong Lee verified the analytical methods; Myungjae Kim drafted the manuscript; Myungjae Kim and Jiho Kim revised the manuscript; Jongwook Kwak and Sooah Kyung helped analyse the data; All authors discussed the results and contributed to the final manuscript.

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10667857.2023.2251293.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Soongsil University Research Fund (New Professor Support Research) of 2019.