Microstructural evolution during the sintering of a Ti(C,N)Mo2CNi alloy

The evolution of microstructure during the sintering of a Ti(C0.7N0.3)20Mo2C15Ni alloy was investigated by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. Mo-rich cubic (Mo,Ti)(C,N) solid solution forms by diffusion of Ti into hexagonal Mo2C phase at the early stages of sintering before the appearance of liquid phase. At above 1200 °C, liquid phase appears and Ti-rich (Ti,Mo)(C,N) structures surrounding Ti(C,N) cores develop by the dissolution of Ti(C,N) and (Mo,Ti)(C,N) particles into liquid binder phase followed by reprecipitation onto large Ti(C,N) particles. Final full densification and well developed core and surrounding structure were formed at higher temperature.