Dense TiN‐Ni cermets with improved sinterability, microstructure, and mechanical properties using Ni‐coated TiN powders

To solve the poor sinterability and wettability between TiN ceramic and pure metal via using coated composite powders, dense TiN‐Ni cermets with uniform microstructure and fine grains were developed at a low sintering temperature of 1300℃ in this work. TiN powders were firstly activated in a strong acid solution, in order to achieve a step‐like surface; Ni‐coated TiN powders showed an uniform and controllable morphology. Two types of TiN‐Ni cermets based on conventional milled powders and Ni‐coated TiN composite powders were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS), and used for the comparison concerning the sintering behavior, microstructure and related mechanical properties. Results showed that Ni‐coated TiN composite powders helped to improve the sinterability between ceramic and metal, which is rather beneficial to obtain dense TiN‐Ni cermets with homogeneous microstructure and high mechanical properties. Compared to those of conventional TiN‐Ni, the relative density, Rockwell hardness and fracture toughness increased from 84.9% to 96.6%, 80.2 to 84.3, and 10.2 MPa·m 1/2 to 14.7 MPa·m 1/2 , with a rather low sintering temperature of 1300 ℃, respectively.