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A kind of multiscale β-sialon grain-reinforced Al2O3 matrix composite ceramic tool material, named ASN, was prepared and studied. For the ASN, β-sialon (molecular formula: Si4Al2O2N6) was synthesized in situ by a hot-pressing and solid-solution reaction process. A total of six samples were prepared at varying sintering temperatures and holding times under vacuum conditions. The solid solution reaction mechanism of β-sialon, the phase composition, mechanical properties, microstructure, and strengthening and toughening mechanisms of the composite ASN were investigated. As a result, within the experimental parameters, an optimal ASN tool material was obtained under a pressure of 32 MPa and at a temperature of 1550 °C for 20 min. The tested mechanical properties of the optimal sample were as follows: flexural strength 997 ± 59 MPa, fracture toughness 6.4 ± 0.3 MPa·m1/2, Vickers hardness 18.2 ± 0.4 GPa, and relative density 98.1 ± 0.2%. According to crystal defect theory, the solid solution reaction mechanism of in-situ-synthesized β-sialon in an Al2O3 matrix involves a double mechanism of unequivalence (or hetero-valence) and interstitial filling. The multiscale β-sialon grains mainly consisted of four grains, which were elongated β-sialon grains with a diameter of 0.3–0.4 μm and an aspect ratio of 6–9, elongated β-sialon grains with a diameter of 70 nm and an aspect ratio of 10, β-sialon whiskers with a diameter of 0.2 μm and an aspect ratio of 12–15, and intragranular β-sialon whiskers with a diameter of 70 nm. The mechanical properties were improved due to strengthening and toughening mechanisms, such as mixed structure mode (intergranular and transgranular), elongated grain pullout, interface bonding, crack reflection, pinning, and bridging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work is to investigate the effect of the WC content on the surface characteristics and nanoindentation behaviors of WC/Ni-based composite laser-clad coatings. Four NiCrSiBC coatings with WC wt% of 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60%, respectively, were clad on carbon steel substrates using a laser. The morphologies and phase compositions of four clad coatings were comparatively observed. In addition, the hardness and elastic modulus values of the four coatings were measured and quantitatively calculated. As a result, with the increase in WC, the coating grains were more refined. Meanwhile, cracks and WC particle breakage occurred in the 50–60% WC coatings, whereas this was not found in the 30–40% WC coatings. When the WC content increased from 40% up to 50%, the coating hardness and elastic modulus significantly increased. However, a further increase in WC from 50% to 60% did not result in considerable improvement in coating quality but considerably worsened the coating's cracking behavior instead. Therefore, for WC/Ni-based composite coatings, a threshold exists for the WC content, and this value was 50% within the experimental scope of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]