Abstract: A molded article is provided which is comprised of (1) a core of hard metal body of at least one binder metal of iron, cobalt and nickel and at least one carbide of the elements titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten, and (2) a surface layer of a hard metal on the core. The same carbides that are in the core are in the surface layer. The carbide concentration in the surface layer is greater than in the core and the carbides of the surface layer originate from the core.A method is provided for producing such articles and comprises subjecting the core of hard metal body to a carbon monoxide-containing gas for a period of from 0.5 to 24 hours, at a temperature of from 1,000.degree. C to 1,600.degree. C and a pressure from 1 Torr to 1,000 Torr to form the surface layer of hard metal on the core.

Abstract: A wear-resistant hard metal body is provided including a core of a hard metal body and a surface coating of a hard material on the core. The core of hard metal body includes at least one of the binder metals iron, cobalt and nickel and at least one of the carbides of the elements titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten. The surface coating of hard material contains at least one carbide, nitride, boride and/or oxide. The binder metal contained in the core of hard metal body is also contained in the surface coating of the hard material and originates from the core of hard metal body.A method is provided for producing such wear-resistant hard metal bodies by subjecting a hard metal body comprising a core of hard metal body and a hard surface coating on the core to a pressure of between about 10.sup.-.sup.5 Torr and about 10 bar and a temperature between about 900.degree. and about 1600.degree.