Niobium carbide NbC as cutting tool material and for wear protection
- The present paper illuminates the metallurgical progress on niobium carbide based hard metal developments, which are characterized by: a.) the substitution of cobalt binder by nickel, b.) the change from SPS to conventional sintering and c.) by switching from lab to pilot scale. The toughness was increased in the frame of these develop¬ments without loosening the hardness level. Stoichiometric and sub-stoichiometric, submicron NbC powders were used. The hardness-toughness profile of NbC grades match those of WC and cermet grades. Apart from the aforementioned parameters, the properties depend from the powder processing and sintering conditions. The functional profile of NbC and WC grades bonded by cobalt and nickel are benchmarked by 4-point bending strength, elastic moduli and hot hardness until 1000°C, dry sliding wear (T= 22/400°C; v= 0,1-10 m/s), abrasive wear (G65) and cutting performances under emulsion and coolant-free turning and milling against different alloys (C60, 100Cr6,The present paper illuminates the metallurgical progress on niobium carbide based hard metal developments, which are characterized by: a.) the substitution of cobalt binder by nickel, b.) the change from SPS to conventional sintering and c.) by switching from lab to pilot scale. The toughness was increased in the frame of these develop¬ments without loosening the hardness level. Stoichiometric and sub-stoichiometric, submicron NbC powders were used. The hardness-toughness profile of NbC grades match those of WC and cermet grades. Apart from the aforementioned parameters, the properties depend from the powder processing and sintering conditions. The functional profile of NbC and WC grades bonded by cobalt and nickel are benchmarked by 4-point bending strength, elastic moduli and hot hardness until 1000°C, dry sliding wear (T= 22/400°C; v= 0,1-10 m/s), abrasive wear (G65) and cutting performances under emulsion and coolant-free turning and milling against different alloys (C60, 100Cr6, 42CrMo4, X90CrMoV18, 300WA, GG35).…