Effect of Mo Content on In-Situ Anisometric Grains Growth and Mechanical Properties of Mo(2)FeB(2)-Based Cermets

Mo(2)FeB(2)-based cermets have wide applications in fields of wear resistance, corrosion resistance and heat resistance due to their simple preparation process, low-cost raw materials, and prominent mechanical properties. Herein, Mo(2)FeB(2)-based cermets with xMo (x = 43.5, 45.5, 47.5, 49.5, wt.%) were prepared by means of the vacuum liquid phase sintering technique. Investigations on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mo(2)FeB(2)-based cermets with Mo addition were performed. Experimental results show that, with Mo content increasing, the average particle size decreases gradually, revealing that the grain coarsening of Mo(2)FeB(2)-based cermets is controlled by interface reaction. In addition, Mo(2)FeB(2) grains gradually transform from an elongated shape to a nearly equiaxed shape. The improvement of Mo(2)FeB(2) hard phase on the morphology is mainly due to the inhibition of solution–precipitation reaction by increasing Mo. Furthermore, the relative density of cermets decreases due to the reduced Fe content. When Mo content is 47.5 wt.%, a relatively small grain size of Mo(2)FeB(2) is obtained (about 2.03 μm). Moreover, with the increase in Mo content, hardness and transverse rupture strength (TRS) of Mo(2)FeB(2)-based cermets increase firstly and then decrease. Whereas, with increasing Mo content, the fracture toughness deteriorates gradually. When Mo content is 47.5 wt.%, the comprehensive mechanical properties of cermets are the best. The optimal raw material ratio for the preparation of Mo(2)FeB(2)-based cermets in this study is determined to be 47.5 wt.% Mo–6.0 wt.% B-Fe.