Titanium carbonitride is more perspective materials compared to titanium carbide. It can be used in tool industry and special products because of its higher strength, abrasive wear-resistance and especially its strong chemical stability at high temperatures. We produced STS+TiCxNy composite by the spark plasma sintering for higher strength and studied the characteristics. The planar and cross-sectional microstructures of the specimens were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Characterizations of the carbon and nitride phases on the surface of composite were carried out using an X-ray diffractometer. During annealing TiCxNy particles diffusion into STS 430 was observed. After annealing, sintering isolations between particles were formed. It causes decreasing of mechanical strength. In addition when annealing temperature was increased hardness increased. Heterogeneous distribution of alloying elements particles was observed. After annealing composites, highest value of hardness was 738.1 MHV.

The ultrafine titanium carbonitride () particles below 100 nm in mean size, including various carbon and nitrogen contents (x=0.55~0.9, y=0.1~0.5), were successfully synthesized by new Mg-thermal reduction process. Nanostructured sub-stoichiometric titanium carbide () particles were initially produced by the magnesium reduction of gaseous at and post heat treatments in vacuum were performed for 2 hrs to remove residual magnesium and magnesium chloride mixed with . Finally, well C/N-controled phases were successfully produced by nitrification heat treatment under normal gas atmosphere at for 2 hrs. The values of purity, mean particle size and oxygen content of produced particles were about 99.3%, 100 nm and 0.2 wt.%, respectively.