Abstract: A cermet or hard metal body is formed from elemental metal, carbon and a nitrogen source such as a metal nitride or an organic nitrogen source by microwave sintering such that chemical reaction occurs with the formation of carbides and/or carbonitrides. The elemental metal, carbon and nitrogen source are mixed together and prepressed to form the green body which is subjected to the microwave radiation in reaction sintering.

Abstract: The invention concerns composites substantially consisting of: a cermet material having a binder metal phase of between 5 and 30 mass % and the remainder comprising at least one carbon nitride phase; or a hard metal with a hard material phase of between 70 and 100 %, the remainder being a binder metal phase, with the exception of a WC-Co hard metal, with up to 25 mass % cobalt as binder metal; or a powder-metallurgically produced steel. The invention further concerns a process for producing this composite. In order to improve bending strength and hardness, sintering is carried out in a microwave field.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the heat treatment of hard metals, cermets and ceramics in a microwave sintering furnace, the material to be treated being moved together with the resonator relative to one or a plurality of microwave sources. The material to be treated is disposed in individual cassettes which, with the exception of an opening necessary for the microwave radiation, consist of material which is impermeable to microwaves and dimensioned to simultaneously form microwave resonant cavities at a microwave frequency when charged with the material.