In the case of cemented TiC, Ni or Co is added as a binder for the formation of composite structures. However, the high cost of Ni or Co and the low corrosion resistance of the TiC-Ni and TiC-Co cermets have generated interest in recent years for alternative binder phases. In this study, FeAl was used as a novel binder and consolidated by the high frequency induction heated sintering (HFIHS) method. Highly dense TiC-FeAl with a relative density of up to 100% was obtained within 2 min by HFIHS under a pressure of 80 MPa. The method was found to enable not only the rapid densification but also the inhibition of grain growth preserving the nano-scale microstructure. The addition of FeAl to TiC enhanced the toughness without great decrease of hardness due to crack deflection and increase of relative density.

Keywords: Nanomaterials, Sintering, Hardness, Fracture toughness, Hard materials.