Cermets and Hardmetals

Dear Colleagues,

Ceramic–metal composites, or cermets, are widely used in demanding wear and corrosion applications, as both bulk materials and coatings. Common implementation areas include tooling for grinding, cutting and machining, mechanical seals, friction surfaces, aerospace coatings, etc. The most ubiquitous example of cermets are based on WC-Co, which are typically referred to as ‘hardmetals’, and have been actively developed for many decades. More recently, lightweight systems based on alternate carbides, borides and nitrides have come to prominence. The mechanical, wear and corrosion properties of these composite systems are highly dependent on their composition and microstructure, and there is an increasing drive towards nano-structured cermets, particularly for their improved wear response. In many scenarios, tribo-corrosion environments are also encountered, such that the physical and chemical demands on the materials are extreme. Consequently, there is a continuing research demand for new cermet and hardmetal systems. The primary aim of this Special Issue is, therefore, to provide a platform for researchers to overview the current state-of-the-art in the development, characterization and applications of high performance ceramic-metal composites. 

Prof. Dr. Kevin Plucknett
Guest Editor

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