Effect of microstructure on the erosive wear of titanium carbide-based cermets

In thus study the effects of microstructure on wear of multiphase materials is analyzed with reference to titanium carbide-based ceramic-metal composites. The weight fraction of TiC phase in these cermets varied between 0.5 and 0.8. The solid particle erosive wear behavior of TiC-based cermets with different binder phases was investigated. The microstructure of each material was characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SCM). In this study, the possible modes in which composition and microstructure influence the erosive wear behavior are examined. Results indicate that microstructural parameters play an important role in determining wear resistance of composite materials whereas the bulk hardness and/or toughness seem to be of minor importance. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.