Characterisation of ternary TixV1−xNy nitride prepared by mechanosynthesis

In the present manuscript the authors have systematically investigated the composition and microstructure of a series of ternary nitrides (TixV1−xNy) (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) prepared by mechanosynthesis, using XRD, SEM, EELS, XAS and TGA. The ternary titanium–vanadium nitride (TixV1−xNy) has been obtained in all range of compositions by the mechanical treatment of the two metals under nitrogen pressure in a planetary mill with a maximum milling time of 3 h and without any post-heating treatment. The materials’ microhardnesses were measured after sinterisation and compared to those reported in the literature for these types of materials. When compared with the previously reported data for bulk samples, these values are similar or higher for compositions within the range x = 0.5 to x = 0.77 (TixV1−xN).