Novel green hardmetals

BN’s NbC-FeCr and NbC-NiCr powders are innovative CerMet materials developed through High Energy Ball Milling (HEBM), featuring in-situ synthesized Niobium Carbide (NbC) finely dispersed in a metallic matrix. This method ensures a stronger carbide–matrix interface compared to conventional agglomerated powders.

NbC-FeCr coatings offer high hardness (up to 1100 HV), excellent wear resistance up to 600 °C, and low density (~7.5 g/cm³)—ideal for HVOF/HVAF thermal spray processes. They provide wear performance intermediate between WC-CoCr and Cr₃C₂-NiCr, with superior results at elevated temperatures.

NbC-NiCr variants exhibit exceptional corrosion resistance, outperforming standard references in electrochemical tests, making them ideal for applications requiring a balance of wear and corrosion resistance across temperature ranges.

Key Features:
◉ High-performance sliding wear resistance
◉ Dense, uniform coatings
◉ Available in +10–45 µm PSD; custom options on request

Titanium carbide (TiC) can be synthesized in-situ through solid-state reactive mechanical alloying, where nanometric carbide phases form directly during high-energy ball milling. This method ensures the uniform dispersion of ultra-fine TiC particles within various metal matrices, leading to enhanced hardness, wear resistance, and thermal stability.

The approach is versatile and can be applied to different base alloys, including titanium, aluminum, iron, and NiCr-based systems, each tailored to specific performance needs. The resulting composites are well-suited for demanding structural parts, protective coatings, and high-performance components in aerospace, automotive, tooling, and energy sectors.

Composition:
Titanium matrix: 35 wt%
TiC: 65 wt%

Properties:
Coating hardness: 640 HV
Porosity: < 2.0%
Thickness: 350 µm

These features—particularly high hardness, low porosity, and excellent wear resistance—make TiC-reinforced composites highly attractive for advanced prosthetic devices, where lightweight strength and long-term durability are critical.

Ti-WC is an advanced ceramic–metal composite developed by MBN Nanomaterialia through High Energy Ball Milling (HEBM), which ensures an ultrafine, homogeneous microstructure. By replacing cobalt (Co) with titanium (Ti), the material retains the hardness of conventional WC-Co systems while lowering density, delivering both performance and environmental benefits.

Ti-WC powders can be applied as thermal spray coatings or consolidated into dense components. Using Cold Gas Spraying (CGS), they produce thick, compact coatings up to 2 mm, reaching hardness values above 1000 HV after heat treatment. When sintered, especially by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) at 1600 °C, Ti-WC achieves near-full density and excellent mechanical strength.

Applications span from automotive racing components—such as lightweight Mg parts—to extrusion dies and rolling mill devices, where wear resistance and reduced weight are essential. Combining durability with design flexibility, Ti-WC stands out as a sustainable, high-performance solution for demanding industrial environments.

Ti-SiC, part of MBN’s Activepowd® series, is a lightweight, nanostructured powder engineered through High Energy Ball Milling (HEBM). Its homogeneous titanium–silicon–carbon distribution provides exceptional hardness and durability while maintaining low density (~3.9 g/cm³).

When consolidated by Spark Plasma Sintering at 1400 °C, Ti-SiC reaches 1650 HV, with its structure containing Ti₃SiC₂ MAX phases. These phases deliver unique properties compared to conventional ceramics: lower brittleness, good fracture toughness, resistance to thermal shock, and both electrical and thermal conductivity. Such features enable use in electromagnetic shielding, thermal management, and structural parts where conductivity is essential.

As a coating, Ti-SiC offers high deposition efficiency and hardness exceeding 1000 HV, with strong wear resistance and reduced friction above 600 °C thanks to lubricating oxide layers forming at high temperature. Its low weight combined with robust performance makes it ideal for high-speed rotating parts, wear-resistant components, and advanced lightweight systems across energy, aerospace, and automotive sectors.