Abstract
A study has been made of alloy systems consisting of TiC and WC in combination with ruthenium and ruthenium-palladium alloys. Particular attention was paid to alloys with high carbide contents, which have a potential application as cutting-tool materials. The alloys were successfully prepared using conventional powder-metallurgical techniques. Alloys based on the TiC-Ru system were particularly promising in preliminary machining tests. In this system, it was found that small amounts of the metals nickel, cobalt, or iron, which are normally picked up during milling, are necessary for the full densification of the alloys at convenient sintering temperatures (i.e. ∼ 1500°C). A more detailed study of TiC-(Ru,Ni) alloys showed that the small amount of nickel required for effective sintering does not seriously affect the properties of the alloy and that, with this quantity of nickel, the melting point of the binder phase is still significantly higher than that of conventional cemented carbides.
Notes
* Manuscript received 1 January 1974. Contribution to a Symposium on ‘Factors Affecting the Uses of PM Products’, to be held in Eastbourne on 28–30 October 1974.