Ti(C,N) solid solutions in hot-pressed Ti() (x=0.0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0) and 40TiC-40TiN-20Ni (in wt.%) cermet were characterized in this study. For hot-pressed Ti(C,N)s, the lattice parameters and hardness values of Ti(C,N) were determined by using XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) and nanoindentation. The properties of hot-pressed Ti(C,N) samples changed linearly with their carbon or nitrogen contents. For the TiC-TiN-Ni cermet, the hardness of the hard phase and binder phase were determined by nanoindentation in conjunction with microstructural observation. The measured hardness values were GPa for the binder phase and GPa for the hard phase, which was close to the hardness of hot-pressed Ti().

Sintered Ti(C,N)-based cermets were treated with hot isostatic pressing (HIP) at different nitrogen pressures. The tribological properties of the treated cermets have been evaluated. The results show that a hard near-surface area rich in TiN formed after HIP treatment. The cermets treated at higher pressure had a relatively lower friction coefficient and specific wear rate. In all cases the microhardness of treated cermets is higher than that without HIP natridation. The wear mechanisms of cermets were hard particle flaking-off and ploughing. It was also found that the HIP natridation is well-suited for improving the tribological properties of cermets.