283 Estonian Journal of Engineering, 2009, 15, 4, 283–292 doi: 10.3176/eng.2009.4.05 Influence of sintering techniques on the performance characteristics of steel-bonded TiC-based cermets Aleksei Tšinjan, Heinrich Klaasen, Jakob Kübarsepp and Harri Annuka Department of Materials Engineering, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia; jakob.kubarsepp@ttu.ee Received 30 June 2009, in revised form 8 October 2009 Abstract. This paper analyses the influence of sintering technology (temperature, gas compression during sintering) and heat treatment on the performance of an advanced TiC-based cermet developed for metalforming. The performance was evaluated by adhesive wear resistance, trans- verse rupture strength and microstructure studies. Optimal technology and parameters, ensuring maximum wear resistance and strength of the TiC-based (carbide) composite, are determined. The positive effect of gas compression during sintering on the performance of TiC-based cermets was revealed. Heat treatment (tempering) that causes no noticeable changes of strength and hardness results in a remarkable decrease of the adhesive wear resistance. Key words: sintering techniques, cermet, titanium carbide, wear resistance, adhesive wear. 1. INTRODUCTION Combinations of desirable material properties are encountered in multiphase material structures, such as ceramic and metal composites. Composites on the basis of tungsten carbide, hardmetals, are a success story in terms of applications, particularly those related to tribology. WC-Co hardmetals are the most widely used materials for different wear applications owing to their excellent combina- tion of high wear resistance and strength [ 1 ]. Deficiency of some specific properties, particularly corrosion resistance and weldability, leads to some restrictions concerning hardmetals and utilization of alternative ceramic and metal composites, e.g. on the basis of titanium carbide. TiC-based cermets may be successful in some applications, because of their favourable properties – low friction coefficient, fair weldability (owing to their expansion coefficient close to that of steels), remarkable resistance to oxidation, high specific strength and high adhesive wear resistance.