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Niobium carbide for machining and wear protection – Evolution of properties

Journal Contribution - Journal Article

© 2019 The Author(s) Basics about physical, mechanical and tribological properties of straight NbCs, including paths to tailor these properties, were layed down in Metal Powder Report, Vol. 71(4), 2016 and Vol. 71(5), 2016. The object is now to give an up-date on the progress in the key properties, like HV30, K IC and strength, followed by machining and tribological results of the respective NbC grades. The sales of niobium carbide (NbC) have grown in the last years from ∼350 tons p.a. to 500 tons p.a. recently, but NbC is still a hidden carbide and mainly used as grain growth inhibitor in hard metals. Another driver is the intention of hardmetal producers and downstream manufacturers to substitute tantalum carbide (TaC) by NbC in order to compensate the increased cobalt prices, which likely will persist on midterm.
Journal: Metal Powder Report
ISSN: 0026-0657
Issue: 2
Volume: 74
Pages: 82 - 89
Publication year:2019
Accessibility:Open