Wear 376-377 (2017) 1570–1579

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Wear
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/wear

Sliding wear behavior of SPS processed TaC-containing

Ti(CN)-WC-Ni/Co cermets against Silicon Carbide
Vikas Verma n, B.V. Manoj Kumar
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India

art ic l e i nf o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Dense (4 98.5%) TiCN-WC-Ni/Co cermets with or without TaC are prepared by spark plasma sintering
Received 8 September 2016 technique at 1400 °C and 70 MPa pressure for 3 min and their friction and wear properties are in-
Received in revised form vestigated against commercially available hard counterbody silicon carbide ball at 5, 10 or 20 N load.
28 January 2017
Core-rim morphology is observed in SEM images of sintered samples which results due to dissolution
Accepted 4 February 2017
and reprecipitation process. Vickers Hardness and fracture toughness varied from 15–17 GPa and 8.79 to
9.51 MPa m1/2. Nano hardness of core-rim-binder phases of cermets lie between 11.14–26.01 GPa. Max-
Keywords: imum hardness and fracture toughness were obtained for Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC (in wt%) cermet.
TiCN With change in the cermet composition and sliding load, coefficient of friction varied from 0.3 to 1.1.
Cermets
Wear rate of cermets varied from 4.7
10  7 mm3/Nm to 2.2
10  6 mm3/Nm and of worn SiC ball from
Sliding wear
4.4
10  7 mm3/Nm to 1.5
10  6 mm3/Nm. Hard debris oxides are responsible for higher COF at low
Ti(CN)
TaC load of 5 N and their compaction leads to the formation of tribolayer at high load of 20 N. The worn
surfaces of cermets are characterized by microcracking, tribolayer formation and spalling. The addition of
TaC in TiCN-WC-Ni/Co cermets led to the refined carbide size having lowest contiguity of ceramic phase
and attributed to reduced wear. Present research contributes in context of dry machining conditions and
is conducted to explore the potential of new cermet material in severe wear conditions against hard
material.
& 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
TiCN based cermets are reported to possess unique combination
of properties of low density, high temperature resistance, high
hardness and toughness, ability to undergo plastic deformation, su-
perior wear and corrosion resistance, good thermal shock resistance,
high strength, high thermal and electrical conductivity [1–3]. Ac-
cordingly TiCN-based cermets are considered as candidate materials
for machining tools and dies for metal forming [4,5].
It is reported that TiCN based composition results in chemically
and physically more stable cermets composite with high me-
chanical properties with the addition of carbides and metallic
binders. It was found that tungsten carbide promotes densifica-
tion. Addition of metallic binders (Ni or Co) has high wettability
with carbide phases [6–8]. It was also found that the addition of
secondary carbides, i.e., WC, TaC, NbC or HfC, to TiCN-Ni system
provides considerable variation in hardness or fracture toughness
and influences their wear behavior [9,10]. Ahn et al. [11,12] in their
n
Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: vikasverma.iitr@rediffmail.com (V. Verma),
manojpatruni@gmail.com (B.V.M. Kumar).
research found that during sintering of TiCN based cermets the
development of core-rim morphology arises due to the dissolution
and re precipitation process. Borrell et al. [13] processed TiCN–
15 wt.%Co cermets via spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique at
different temperatures (1200–1400 °C) for 1 min in vacuum under
a uniaxial load of 80 MPa. Lower sintering temperature resulted in
a decrease in mechanical properties due to poor cohesion between
the ceramic and binder phases. Material sintered at 1300 °C has
the Vickers hardness of 17.1 GPa, fracture toughness of
5.5 MPa m1/2 and bending strength of 904 MPa. Alvarez et al. [14]
processed Ti(CN) cermets with intermetallic binder phases. TiCN-
Mo2C–Ni and TiCN-Mo2C–Ni–TiAl3 cermets with full density were
prepared via SPS at 100 MPa for 2 min at 1400 °C. The presence of
ultrafine TiCN grains led to 18 GPa hardness and 7.5 MPa m1/2
fracture toughness for TiCN-Mo2C–Ni–TiAl3 cermet. High hardness
is related to the compositional difference, particularly because of
presence of (Al,Ti) rich oxides due to the addition of TiAl3. Ping
et al. [15] processed Ti(C,N)-Mo/Ni cermets via SPS at 1050 °C to
1450 °C for 3 min at 30 MPa with a heating rate of 200 °C /min and
cooled down to 700 °C within 2–3 min. It was observed that
samples sintered below 1350 °C were perfect in their external
appearance, whereas for those sintered at 1430 °C crack appeared
on the sintered samples surface. The porosity decreased sharply

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2017.02.013
0043-1648/& 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
 V. Verma, B.V.M. Kumar / Wear 376-377 (2017) 1570–1579
below 1200 °C sintering temperature and reached minimum at
1200 °C. Jianghong et al. [16] processed Ti(C,N) cermets with ad-
dition of Al2O3, Mo, Ni at 1450 °C for 2 min via SPS at 50 MPa and
achieved 17 GPa hardness. Zheng et al. [17] obtained dense Ti(CN)
with addition of WC, Ni, Mo, VC and graphite via SPS at 1350 °C
and 20 MPa.
Considerable understanding on the wear behavior of TiCN
based cermets is available over a wide range of experimental
conditions in dry ambient environment. Literature survey shows
that majority of experiments were conducted in air at room
temperature (307 20 °C) with relative humidity (RH) of 40–50%
[18,19]. Based on the experimental parameters of wear testing, the
complex wear behavior of TiCN-based cermets are characterized
by adhesion, abrasion, tribochemical wear, oxidation, plastic de-
formation and fracture [20–24]. A wider range of COF values from
0.24 to 1 and of wear rate from 10  7 mm3/Nm to 10  6 mm3/Nm
are reported for the TiCN-based cermets by previous investigators
[20–24]. Kumar et al. [20] studied the sliding wear behavior of
TiCN–Ni-based cermets with WC addition slid at 0.1 m/sec velocity
at different loads against 100Cr6 steel. COF varied from 0.7 to
0.3 and wear rate varied in the order of 10  7–10  6 mm3/Nm.
Worn surfaces revealed increased abrasion at low loads and severe
fracture of the tribooxide layer at high loads. Pirso et al. [21] in
their study found microabrasion (polishing) and adhesive wear as
main wear mechanisms for TiC–NiMo cermets slided against steel
at a velocity of 2.2 m/s and a load of 40 N. COF varied from 0.2 to
0.3 and wear rate varied in the order of 10  7 mm3/Nm. When slid
against Si3N4 at 0.5 m/sec at 5 N load, Meng et al. [22] observed
dominant microfracture on worn surfaces of TiCN–Ni–Mo cermets
whereas tribolayer formation is observed in TiCN–Al2O3–Ni–Mo
cermet COF varied from 0.8 to 1.0 and wear rate in the order of
10  7 mm3/Nm. Engqvist et al. [23] studied the wear behavior of
(WC-Co)–TiC- TaC/NbC against steel slid at 1500–3000 rpm 40
N-350 N load. COF varied from 0.2 to 0.7 and tribolayer formation
is observed in all the materials. Verma et al. [24] in sliding wear
behavior of TaC containing Ti(CN)-WC-Ni/Co cermets against steel
observed the variation in COF from 0.3 to 1.0 and variation in wear
rate in the order of 10  7 mm3/Nm. A transition in wear mechan-
ism occurred from fracture and grain pull-out of cermets grains at
a low load of 5N to the removal of tribochemical layer at high load
of 20 N. It is observed and reported that the intensive contact of
the production worker to cutting fluids leads to skin and re-
spiratory diseases and there is increased danger of cancer [25,26].
Thus, dry machining is preferred in tool industries for good health
and environment.
Extensive research has been carried out to understand the
friction and wear behavior of TiCN based cermets against steel,
whereas little information is available against hard ceramic
counter body. As TiCN cermets are primarily preferred for cutting
tool inserts or dies for metal forming, an understanding on the
tribological wear behavior against hard counterbody is highly es-
sential to assess their full potential. The present research deals
with the study of friction and wear properties of SPS processed
new generation TiCN-WC-Ni/Co-TaC cermets. Considering high
hardness and chemical inertness in wear conditions, commercially
available silicon carbide ball is selected as counterbody. The
dominant mechanisms of material removal are elucidated as a
function of cermet composition and sliding load.
2. Experimental procedure
2.1. Material preparation and processing of TiCN-based cermets
For the present work following cermet compositions were designed:
Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni, Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni-5TaC, Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co, Ti
1571
(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC (all in wt. %) and designated as C1, C2, C3
and C4, respectively. Commercially available powders of TiCN (1–2 mm,
Sigma Aldrich, USA), WC (2 mm, Sigma Aldrich, USA), TaC (o5 mm,
Sigma Aldrich, USA), Ni (4100 mesh size, Central Drug House (CDH)
New Delhi, India) and Co (3–5 mm, The Metal Powder Company Ltd.
(MEPCO) Thirumangalam, India) were used. Controlled powders in
terms of purity were used to have effective sintering, resulting in proper
diffusion process and dense material. Also, the powders with similar
size distribution were selected to facilitate uniform dispersion in mixing
that would result in effective sintering. The nickel powder of large size
is believed to not effect the mixing or sintering as it is softer than other
ceramics particles and melts below sintering temperature to help in
densification.
Powders were uniformly mixed using toluene in high energy
ball mill (PM100, Retsch, Germany) in a tungsten carbide vial at
250 rpm for 8 h with tungsten carbide balls to powder ratio of
10:1. During ball milling, particles were subjected to collision,
leading to cold welding and fracture. The mixed slurries were
dried in an oven at a temperature of 100 °C for 1 h. After drying,
the powder mixtures were crushed by mottle and pastel to remove
agglomerates. The crushed powders were sieved through a fine
sieve to achieve free flow of powders. The powders were sputter
coated with gold, and subjected to microstructural characteriza-
tion using scanning electron microscopy (FESEM; Quanta 200 FEG,
Eindhoven, the Netherlands or SEM, Zeiss, EVO18, Oberkochen,
Gemany). Representative SEM images of ball milled powders of Ti
(CN)-5WC-20Ni and Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC cermet compo-
sitions are shown in Fig. 1(a–b) respectively. SEM images shows
that the powder particles were refined and particle size distribu-
tion was homogeneous. Some tiny particles sticking together were
also visible. Particle size distribution of ball milled powders was
determined using a particle size analyzer (ANKERSMID CIS-100
computerized inspection system). The system used laser light
beam scattering technique through a dispersed particulate sample.
A known quantity of powder sample was dispersed in a 5 ml glass
coveit with distilled water and placed into the analyzer chamber of
the detector. Particle sizes were reported in micrometer by the
instrument software package which analyze the scattering data.
The particle size distribution results of Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni and Ti
(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC ball milled powders as determined by
laser scattering method are shown in Fig. 2(a–b) respectively. It
was found that the large proportion of the powder samples were
in submicrometric range and the particles were of 4 1 μm. The
average particle size of ball milled powders was 0.8 7 0.1 mm.
Powder mixtures were sintered using a spark plasma sintering
system (Dr. Sinter, SPS 625, Fuji Electronic Industrial Co. Ltd. Japan.
The sintering temperature is 1400 °C and pressure is 70 MPa for
3 min with 100 °C/min heating rate in inert atmosphere of argon.
The powder mixture was compacted in graphite die disc of 20 mm
diameter. Temperature of the inner surface of the upper graphite
piston was monitored by a digital pyrometer. Thickness of the
sintered cermet disks varied between 3 and 5 mm. The sintered
discs were polished using emery papers embedded with abrasive
particles of 9, 6, 3, and 1 mm size. Archimedes method was used to
determine bulk density of the sintered cermets. Relative density
was calculated using the rule of mixture. The bulk density and
relative densities for the sintered cermets are listed in Table 1.
2.2. Material characterization of TiCN-based cermets
The phase analysis was done on polished surfaces using XRD
difractometer (XRD, Rigaku SmartLab Diffractometer, Japan). A
stylus-tip Profilometer (SJ-400, MITUTOYO, USA) is used to mea-
sure the roughness value (Ra) and it is 0.06 70.01 of polished
surfaces. The polished surfaces were subjected to microstructural
characterization using a scanning electron microscope (FESEM;
1572 V. Verma, B.V.M. Kumar / Wear 376-377 (2017) 1570–1579

Fig. 1. Representative SEM images of ball milled powders of (a) Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni, (b) Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC.

Fig. 2. Particle size distribution of ball milled powders of (a) Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni, (b) Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC respectively.

Table 1
Vickers hardness, nano hardness, fracture toughness and carbide size of the Ti(CN) based cermets.

Designation Density (g/cc) Relative density % Carbide (Coreþ rim) size (lm) HV10 (GPa) KIc (MPa m1/2) Nano hardness (GPa) at 3000 lN Normal Load

Core Rim Binder

C1 5.7 98.9 1.63 70.06 15.25 7 0.08 8.81 7 0.02 24.197 0.12 18.50 7 0.20 11.147 0.07
C2 5.9 99.1 1.58 70.05 14.94 7 0.16 8.79 7 0.01 23.137 .02 17.3370.30 11.247 0.40
C3 5.7 99.4 1.43 70.07 16.017 0.01 8.85 7 0.01 25.137 0.02 19.197 0.60 12.54 7 0.09
C4 6.0 99.9 1.30 70.06 17.01 70.08 9.51 70.01 26.01 70.21 21.167 0.13 13.50 70.60

Quanta 200 FEG, Eindhoven, the Netherlands or SEM, Zeiss, EVO18,

Fig. 3. XRD analysis of sintered TiCN cermets.
Oberkochen, Gemany) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray
spectroscope (EDS, Oxford Instruments, Buckinghamshire, U.K.).
There is development of core rim binder phase morphology visible
in SEM micrographs of sintered cermets with black, grey and
white contrast. Linear intercept method was used to estimate the
average size of phases in microstructures of the sintered cermets.
Hardness of sintered cermets were estimated by Vickers in-
dentation Tester (FEI, Pune, India) at 10 kg for 15 s. The Shetty's
formula was used in estimating the fracture toughness [27].
0.4
Fracture toughness = 0.025 ( E/H ) ( H . W )0.5
W = P /4a; (1)
 V. Verma, B.V.M. Kumar / Wear 376-377 (2017) 1570–1579 1573

Fig. 4. (a) SEM image of sintered Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co cermet. EDS analysis for core, rim and binder phases of sintered cermet are shown in (b), (c) and (d).

Fig. 5. (a) SEM (BSE) image of Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni cermet, (b) Ceramic contiguity (■) and binder mean free path (▲) for TiCN based samples processed via SPS Sintering.

Where, P ¼Load, 4a¼ 2xAvg. Length of diagonal (D), H ¼hardness
Nano hardness measurement was done at 3000mN normal load to
study the mechanical behavior of core and rim phases using Tri-
boindenter (Hysitron TI950 Hysitron Inc, USA) equipped with three-
sided Berkovich diamond indenter with a tip radius of 100 nm.
2.3. Friction and wear study of TiCN-based cermets
Sliding wear tests were conducted on polished cylindrical
shaped TiCN-based cermet specimens using a unidirectional ball-
on-disk tribometer (TR-210 ME, DUCOM, Bangalore India). Com-
mercially available silicon carbide balls of 10 mm diameter with
surface roughness value (Ra) of 0.06 μm and hardness of 25 GPa
were used as counterbody. Both SiC balls and sintered TiCN-based
cermet disks were cleaned using acetone prior to wear testing.
Sliding tests were conducted in unlubricated ambient conditions
(25 75 °C and 30–35% RH). SiC balls were fixed in the ball holder
so as to make a track radius of 5 mm from the central axis and the
test were conducted at a fixed rotational speed of 500 rpm (a
linear speed of 0.26 m/s) for 40 min (total sliding distance of
626 m) at 5 N, 10 N or 20 N loads that respectively produce a
maximum (initial) Hertzian contact stress 1.07, 1.35 or 1.70 GPa.
During the test runs, frictional forces were recorded using an
electronic sensor to generate real time coefficient of friction (COF)
data. Surface profiles of the worn disk specimens were acquired
using a surface profilometer (SJ400, Mitutoyo, Germany) to mea-
sure the width and depth of scar formed on the cermet disc. The
dimensions of impression on ball surface were measured using
1574 V. Verma, B.V.M. Kumar / Wear 376-377 (2017) 1570–1579
Fig. 6. Representative Force penetration curve for Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC
cermet processed via SPS technique.
Fig. 7. Coefficient of friction vs time for Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC cermet worn
against silicon carbide ball at different loads.
Fig. 8. Average steady state COF values of cermets as function of composition and
load.
SEM. An average of 5 readings was considered for wear scar di-
mensions. Wear volume (in mm3) of the cermet disc and wear
volume of ball were computed as per the following formulae:
Wear volume of cermet disc = 2 ∏ × wear scar width × wear scar depth × wear scar radius
Wear volume of ball = ∏ × (wear scar dimension average value)4 /64 radius of
The specific wear rate (in mm3/Nm) was calculated from wear
volume normalized for sliding distance and load. Sliding tests
were performed four to five times and the average of friction and
wear results is reported. In order to understand the wear me-
chanism, a detailed microstructural characterization of the as-
worn surfaces of cermet discs and worn SiC balls was conducted
using SEM-EDS.
3. Results and discussion
3.1. Phase analysis of sintered TiCN-based cermets
The phase evolution of sintered TiCN-based cermets is shown
in Fig. 3. XRD analysis for the Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni cermets revealed
the presence of TiCN, WC and Ni as major phases after sintering.
The additional presence of Co and/or TaC is observed in Ti(CN)-
5WC-20Ni-5TaC, Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co, Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-
5TaC cermets. XRD analysis of sintered cermets revealed Ti(CN)
and (Ti,W)(CN)/(Ti,W,Ta)(CN) solid solution. Peak broadening is
observed in XRD of C4 cermet in respect to other cermets. The
selected sintering condition did not produce any other phases.
Thus, the XRD analysis of sintered cermets indicates the presence
of initial powder composition.
3.2. Core rim morphology of sintered TiCN-based cermets
In general, SEM (EDS) images of all cermets reveal three major
microstructural phases with distinct differences in their contrast.
Typical EDS analysis of three major phases for Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-
10Co is shown in Fig. 4. The EDS analysis of black core phase
suggests that core phase is TiCN, grey rim phase is the solid so-
lution of (Ti, W, Ta)CN and the bright continuous phase is of Ni, Co
or there solid solution. The formation of core-rim morphology is
suggested to result from the dissolution and reprecipitation during
sintering process [11].
The microstructural parameters were further evaluated by
linear intercept method for each cermet microstructure. The
average number of intercepts per unit of length was determined
for Nceramic/ceramic grain boundaries and Nceramic/binder interfaces,
and used to estimate the contiguity (C) of the ceramic particles
and the mean free path (λ) of the binder phase:
C = 2Nceramic / ceramic /⎡⎣ 2Nceramic / ceramic + Nceramic / binder ⎤⎦ (4)
λ = Øceramic /Nceramic / binder (5)
where ∅ceramic is the mean ceramic particle size.
Ceramic contiguity and binder mean free path are measured in
order to study the effect of microstructure on the mechanical
behaviour of cermets. SEM (BSE) images were studied and their
results were interpretated. Ceramic contiguity and the binder
mean free path, which were calculated to compare the samples
investigated and rationalise the effects of microstructure on the
mechanical behavior of the samples exhibited an opposite trends,
i.e., contiguity increase and the mean free path decrease. Fig. 5. (a)
(2)
the ball (3)
 V. Verma, B.V.M. Kumar / Wear 376-377 (2017) 1570–1579
Fig. 9. Wear rate of (a) cermets and (b) silicon carbide ball as function of composition and load.
shows typical SEM (BSE) image of Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni cermet,
whereas Fig. 5. (b) represents ceramic contiguity and binder mean
free path for the investigated cermets. Ceramic contiguity path
varied from 0.39 mm to 0.43 mm and binder mean free varied from
0.94 mm to 0.99 mm respectively. Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC
cermet has the least contiguity and largest binder mean free path
among all investigated cermets. It was observed that the addition
of TaC in TiCN-WC-Ni/Co cermets led to refined ceramic particles
during sintering. Further investigation of mechanical behavior
revealed that Vickers hardness was high for the presence of least
ceramic contiguity and larger binder mean free path in the sin-
tered cermet.
3.3. Mechanical behavior of sintered TiCN-based cermets
The hardness varied from 14.94 to 17.01 GPa and the fracture
toughness from 8.79 to 9.51 MPa m1/2. with variation in cermet
composition. Cermets prepared using nickel and cobalt or nickel,
cobalt and TaC resulted in higher hardness and fracture toughness.
A maximum hardness of 17.01 GPa and a maximum fracture
toughness of 9.51 MPa.m1/2 is found for the Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-
10Co-5TaC cermet as shown in Table 1. Nano hardness of SPSed
TiCN based cermets lie between 11.14 and 26.01 GPa. It is found
that the cermet C4 having TaC-Ni/Co addition possess the highest
hardness of core, rim and binder phases as shown in Table 1. Nano
indentation response obtained for Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC
cermet is shown in Fig. 6. It is observed that penetration depth of
diamond indentor is the maximum in binder phase which resulted
in the minimum hardness.
3.4. Frictional behavior
A typical COF plot as a function of time is shown for the Ti(CN)-
5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC, cermet in Fig. 7 and the average steady
state COF values for the investigated cermets are shown as func-
tion of sliding load in Fig. 8. The average steady state COF varied
from 0. 3 to 1.1 with change in cermet composition and sliding
load. Sliding against silicon carbide ball results in the formation of
rough surface of contact which increases friction. Lower COF va-
lues from 0.2 to 0.8 are reported for the TiCN-based cermets when
slid against steel ball by previous investigators with varying cer-
met compositions and sliding conditions [14–19]. A drop in COF is
observed when the applied sliding load is increased from 5 to 20 N
for any cermet. At a given load, Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni, cermet ex-
hibited high COF values and Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC showed
low COF values. Thus, the frictional behavior of the investigated
cermets indicates strong influence of the addition of TaC in the
cermet composition and load. Among these cermets containing
1575
TaC and Co – Ni binder phase is beneficial in reducing the friction
in the selected sliding conditions.
3.5. Wear results
Wear rate of the investigated cermets slid against SiC ball
varied from 4.7
10  7 mm3/Nm to 2.2
10  6. The Ti(CN)-5WC-
20Ni cermet possess highest wear rate at a load of 5N, and the
least wear rate is noted for Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC at a load
of 10 N. Wear rates from 10  7 mm3/Nm to 10  6 mm3/Nm are re-
ported for the TiCN-based cermets by previous investigators [18–
24]. Wear rate of silicon carbide ball slid against investigated
cermets varied from 0.4
10  6 to 1.4
10  6. It is to note that the
wear of ball slid against the least worn cermet is the maximum,
whereas the wear of ball slid against the most worn cermet is the
minimum. Specific wear rate as a function of load of investigated
TiCN-based cermets and silicon carbide balls are shown in Fig. 9.
3.6. SEM analysis of worn surfaces
Depending on the given sliding conditions, the dominant me-
chanisms involved in the wear process are studied. Representative
SEM images of worn surfaces of investigated cermets are shown in
Fig. 10 (a–h). The SEM image of C1 cermet of baseline TiCN-5WC-
20Ni composition worn at 5 N reveals severe wear with characteristic
abrasion and grain pullout (Fig. 10a). At 20 N load, the worn surface is
significantly covered with a tribolayer (Fig. 10b). The material is re-
moved via microcracking of the layer. With the addition of TaC in
baseline composition, the C2 cermet worn surface reveals the pre-
sence of a tribolayer at 5 N load (Fig. 10c), as compared to C1 cermet.
Tribolayer becomes dense on the worn surface at 20 N (Fig. 10d).
Worn surface of Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co (C3 cermet) reveals the
formation of distinct tribolayer. However, cracking and grain pullout
indicates easy removal of the layer and less protection from further
wear at 5 N load (Fig. 10e). Tribolayer is severely spalled at higher
load of 20 N (Fig. 10f). The worn surface of C4 cermet with Ti(CN)-
5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC composition at 5 N load shows thin and dis-
continues tribolayer which became thick, continuous, and strongly
adhered at 20 N load (Figs. 10g and h). Thus, the addition of Co and
TaC in the baseline TiCN-WC-Ni cermet composition resulted in the
strongly adhered tribocontact. The presence of such layer in the tri-
bocontact at high load decreases the friction between cermet and SiC
ball. The data shown in Fig. 8 also reveals a decrease in COF with the
load. Among transition metal carbides, TaC is considered for the
consistent mechanical behavior and superior resistance against crack
propagation. Resistance to crack propagation increases due to addi-
tion of TaC as it behaves plastically deformable before breaking, so
relatively the toughness is increased [8–10]. Thus, Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni-
1576 V. Verma, B.V.M. Kumar / Wear 376-377 (2017) 1570–1579

Fig. 10. SEM images of (a) Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni cermet worn at 5 N (b) Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni cermet worn at 20 N (c) Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni-5TaC cermet worn at 5 N (d) Ti(CN)-5WC-
20Ni-5TaC cermet worn at 20 N (e) Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co cermet worn at 5 N (f) Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co cermet worn at 20 N (g) Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC cermet
worn at 5 N and (h) Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC cermet worn at 20 N load. Corresponding wear track images are shown in insets.
 V. Verma, B.V.M. Kumar / Wear 376-377 (2017) 1570–1579
Fig. 11. EDS analysis of (a) Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni, (b) Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni-5TaC, (c) Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co and (d) Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC cermets worn at 20N load.
5TaC and Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC cermets having TaC addition
retain tribolayer in the selected sliding conditions and resulted in
decrease in COF or wear.
3.7. EDS analysis of worn surfaces of investigated Cermet and SiC
ball
It is clear that the fracture, grain pull-out and microcracks is
dominated by the formation and adherence of a layer on the
surface with change in sliding load or cermet composition. In or-
der to understand the chemistry of the layered surfaces, EDS
studies are conducted for the worn surfaes of investigated cermet
and ball. The EDS analysis of the worn surfaes at load of 20 N is
shown in Fig. 11 (a-d). In general, EDS analysis shows the presence
of elements from cermet surfaces i.e. Ti, W, C, N, Ni, Co and/or Ta
and from ball surface i.e. Si and C. In addition, the presence of
oxygen indicates that the layer consist of oxides.
SEM - EDS study is carried out for the worn ball surfaces to
understand the wear mechanism and possibility of material
transfer onto the counterbody. The wear scar of silicon carbide
balls worn surface slid against Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC cer-
met at 5 N and 20 N is shown in Fig. 12. Wear scar is almost
1577
circular in all the cases; diameter increased with load. Presence of
scratches and abrasion during sliding wear developed at ball sur-
faces. Wear scar is accompanied with deep abrasion at 20 N load.
3.8. Wear debris analysis
In order to understand the relation between morphology of
wear debris particles and tribological performance of the in-
vestigated TiCN based cermets slid against silicon carbide ball at
20 N load, debris particles from worn cermets surfaces are care-
fully collected and subjected to SEM (EDS) analysis (Fig. 13 (a,b,c)).
Size of the debris particles is measured by image analysis and
results are obtained from 150–180 readings from images of col-
lected debris of each cermet composition. SEM images of wear
debris collected from worn Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni Cermets shows ir-
regular sized particles Fig. 13 (a) whereas SEM images of wear
debris collected from worn Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC Cermets
shows refined sized particles Fig. 13 (b). SEM images of sintered Ti
(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC cermet shows refined crystallite size
so the debris formation during sliding is also refined. Debris par-
ticles are crushed at high load. The average size of the wear debris
for C1, C2, C3, C4 compositions are 1.0, 0.6, 0.8, 0.6 mm. A
1578 V. Verma, B.V.M. Kumar / Wear 376-377 (2017) 1570–1579

Fig. 12. SEM – EDS images of silicon carbide balls worn surface slid against Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC cermet at 5 N and 20 N.

Fig. 13. Typical SEM images of debris collected after sliding at 20 N load against silicon carbide ball (a) Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni (b) Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC Cermets. (c) EDS
analysis of debris collected from worn surface of Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni cermet.
 V. Verma, B.V.M. Kumar / Wear 376-377 (2017) 1570–1579
maximum wear debris particle size of 1.0 mm is found for Ti(CN)-
5WC-20Ni cermet which is for maximum wear at 20 N load. Least
wear debris particle size of 0.565 mm is found for Ti(CN)-5WC-
10Ni-10Co-5TaC cermet. EDS analysis of debris collected from
worn surface of Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni cermet is shown in Fig. 13 (c).
EDS analysis of wear debris of Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni cermet cofirms
the presence of following elements i.e. Ti, W, C, N and Ni, presence
of Si is due to wear of SiC ball. In addition, the presence of oxygen
along with these elements observed in EDS analysis of debris
particles indicates oxidation at the contact surface of cermet disc
and ball. Sliding wear of TiCN based cermets against harder silicon
carbide ball results in wear of material in form of debris. Moreover,
sliding in ambient conditions of temperature and humidity also
favors formation of oxides leading to hard debris formation.
4. Conclusion
Powder compositions Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni, Ti(CN)-5WC-20Ni-
5TaC, Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co and Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC
cermets were sintered to full density by spark plasma sintering at
1400 °C and 70 MPa pressure for 3 min. The friction and wear
characteristics of sintered cermets are studied against hard coun-
terbody SiC ball in dry sliding conditions. Present study was con-
ducted to explore the potential of new cermet material in severe
wear conditions against hard material in context of dry machining
conditions. Following are the major conclusions:
 Sintered cermets reveal Ti(CN) core and (Ti,W)(CN)/(Ti,W,Ta)
(CN) rim solid solution. SEM (BSE) images of all cermets pri-
marily reveal three major microstructural phases of core-rim-
binder with distinct difference in their contrast.
 Vickers hardness varied from 15 to 17 GPa and indentation
fracture toughness from 8.79 to 9.51 MPa m1/2 with cermet
composition. Nano hardness of core-rim-binder phases of cer-
mets lie between 11.14 to 26.01 GPa. Ti(CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-
5TaC cermet with refined size and contiguity of ceramic phase
exhibits maximum hardness, maximum fracture toughness.
 With change in sliding load from 5 N to 20 N, the coefficient of
friction varied between 0.3 to 1.1 and wear rate of cermets
varied from 4.7
10  7 mm3/Nm to 2.2
10  6 mm3/Nm and of
worn SiC ball from 0.4
10  6 mm3/Nm to 1.4
10  6 mm3/Nm.
The Ti(CN)  5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC cermet exhibits minimum
COF and minimum wear rate at a high sliding load of 20 N.
 It is observed that the worn surfaces of the investigated cermets
are generally characterized by microcracking, tribolayer for-
mation and spalling when slid against SiC ball. The Ti (CN)-
5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC cermet exhibits worn surface covered
with a thick, continuous and strongly adhered tribolayer.
 Debris collected after the wear testing are irregular for Ti(CN)-
5WC-20Ni and refined for Ti (CN)-5WC-10Ni-10Co-5TaC cermet.
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