Effect of SiCP content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Fe-based cermets.

Iron-based (Fe-based) cermets with silicon carbide particles (SiCP) as abrasive were prepared by vacuum hot pressing sintering. The influence of SiCP content on the microstructure and grinding performance of Fe-based cermets was studied. The microstructure, mechanical properties, and grinding performance of the prepared cermets were tested and analyzed to explore the grinding mechanism of Fe-SiC cermets. It was shown that the grinding mechanism changed due to the reduction of SiCP content. And the grinding behavior was related to the bonding force between SiCP and matrix. Through experiments and finite element analysis, the source/distribution of grinding heat and heat flow were verified, and the mechanism of material removal was revealed. The results showed that with the decrease of SiCP content, the grinding behavior of cermet changed from cutting and plowing to friction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]