Additively manufactured soft magnetic Fe-3.7%w.t.Si toroidal samples with solid and novel partitioned cross-sectional geometries are characterized through magnetic measurements. This study focuses on the effect of air gaps and annealing temperature on AC core losses at the 50 Hz frequency. In addition, DC electromagnetic material properties are presented, showing comparable results to conventional and other 3D-printed, high-grade, soft magnetic materials. The magnetization of 1.5 T was achieved at 1800 A/m, exhibiting a maximum relative permeability of 28,900 and hysteresis losses of 0.61 (1 T) and 1.7 (1.5 T) W/kg. A clear trend of total core loss reduction at 50 Hz was observed in relation to the segregation of the specimen cross-sectional topology. The lowest 50 Hz total core losses were measured for the toroidal specimen with four internal air gaps annealed at 1200 °C, exhibiting a total core loss of 1.2 (1 T) and 5.5 (1.5 T) W/kg. This is equal to an 860% total core loss reduction at 1 T and a 510% loss reduction at 1.5 T magnetization compared to solid bulk-printed material. Based on the findings, the advantages and disadvantages of printed air-gapped material internal structures are discussed in detail.

WC-based hardmetals are employed widely as wear-resistant ceramic–metal composites for tools and wear parts. Raw materials supply, environmental concerns and some limitations of hardmetals have directed efforts toward development of alternative wear-resistant composites–cermets. We present a current state of knowledge in the field of ceramic-rich (≥50 vol%) cermets behavior in abrasion and erosion conditions, which are the dominant types of wear in many industrial applications. Distinction is made between two-body and three-body abrasion, solid-particle erosion, and slurry erosion. Cermets, in particular TiC-, Ti(C,N)- and Cr₃C₂-based composites and hardmetals, are compared for their abrasive and erosive wear performance and mechanism. The review enabled formulation of tribological conditions in which cermets may be comparable or have potential to outperform WC-Co hardmetals. Hardmetals, in general, outperform cermets in abrasion and solid-particle erosion at room and moderate temperatures. However, cermets demonstrate their potential mainly in severe conditions—at elevated temperatures and corrosive (oxidation, electrochemical corrosion) environments.

The aim of the research was to disclose the performance of ceramic-metal composites, in particular TiC-based cermets and WC-Co hardmetals, as tool materials for friction stir welding (FSW) of aluminium alloys, stainless steels and copper. The model tests were used to study the wear of tools during cutting of metallic workpiece materials. The primary focus was on the performance and degradation mechanism of tool materials during testing under conditions simulating the FSW process, in particular the welding process temperature. Carbide composites were produced using a common press-and-sinter powder metallurgy technique. The model tests were performed on a universal lathe at the cutting speeds enabling cutting temperatures comparable the temperatures of the FSW of aluminium alloys, stainless steels and pure copper. The wear rate of tools was evaluated as the shortening of the length of the cutting tool nose tip and reaction diffusion tests were performed for better understanding of the diffusion-controlled processes during tool degradation (wear). It was concluded that cermets, in particular TiC-NiMo with 75–80 wt.% TiC, show the highest performance in tests with counterparts from aluminium alloy and austenitic stainless steel. On the other hand, in the model tests with copper workpiece, WC-Co hardmetals, in particular composites with 90–94 wt.% WC, outperform most of TiC-based cermet, including TiC-NiMo. Tools from ceramic-metal composites wear most commonly by mechanisms based on adhesion and diffusion.

From the outlook of healthcare, economic importance and supply risk, utilisation of raw materials like tungsten, cobalt and nickel should be reduced or replaced with other metals. Nontoxic titanium carbide and iron are the top-of-the-line solution for displacing these materials. Our focus was on conventionally fabricated titanium carbide-based cermets with a chromium ferritic steel binder. To study microstructural evolution, specimens were sintered at different temperatures (600–1500°C). We used a scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry to analyse the microstructure and phase formation of the cermets. Our results showed that during the solid and liquid phase sintering of the TiC–FeCr cermet, chromium ferrous complex carbides M₇C₃ are formed and as a result, chromium content in the binder phase is decreased. Alloying TiC–FeCr cermets with strong carbide formers improves the structural homogeneity of the cermets. Also, mechanical characteristics (hardness, fracture toughness) were evaluated.

The influence of laser pulse shaping on the formation of TiC-Fe-based cermets with different laser process parameters is investigated. The impact of pulse shaping and laser melting peak power on the microstructural development and mechanical properties of SLM-built parts is addressed. This research focuses primarily on the process parameters required to produce crack-free components and includes investigations of mechanical properties such as microhardness and fracture toughness. To acquire optimal process parameters, samples were manufactured using pulse shaping technology with varying laser melting peak power and exposure time. The influence of laser melting peak power and pulse shape on microstructure development and phases was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction.