TY - JOUR A1 - Huang, S.G. A1 - Vanmeensel, K. A1 - Mohrbacher, H. A1 - Woydt, Mathias A1 - Vleugels, J. T1 - Microstructure and mechanical porperties of NbC-matrix hardmetals with secondary carbide addition and different metal binders JF - International journal of refractory metals & hard materials N2 - NbC has a relatively high hardness (19.6 GPa) and melting temperature (3600 °C) and is usually applied as a grain growth inhibitor in WC–Co hardmetals. The current study reports on the influence of the sintering technology and overall chemical composition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of NbC-based hardmetals, using Co as a binder. The partial replacement of NbC by 5 wt.% WC, Mo2C, VC or TiC allows one to significantly improve the hardness and toughness of the NbC–Co materials. The influence of different binders, i.e., Co, 316L stainless steel and Fe3Al on the microstructure and mechanical properties of NbC-based hardmetals was also investigated. The powder mixtures were sintered in the solid state by PECS and liquid state by conventional vacuum sintering. Detailed microstructural analysis was conducted by EPMA elemental mapping and WDS point analysis. Mechanical properties, including Vickers hardness and indentation toughness were assessed. KW - Niobium carbide KW - Sintering KW - Grain growth KW - Microstructure KW - Mechanical properties PY - 2015 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2014.10.014 SN - 0263-4368 SN - 0958-0611 VL - 48 SP - 418 EP - 426 PB - Elsevier AN - OPUS4-31974 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -