Laser‐Based Solidification of Cermets/Cemented Carbides: Processing‐Microstructure‐Property Relationships

Abstract Cermets/Cemented carbides belong to the class of materials that reap the properties of both ceramics and metallic phases and are generally fabricated using powder metallurgical techniques. Fabrication through the conventional solidification route is not feasible due to the high melting points of ceramics. The size and shape of cermets produced by powder metallurgical techniques are rather restricted, and the presence of induced defects will depend on the process conditions. To widen the applications of the cermets/cemented carbides and to fabricate intricate parts with added functionalities, novel additive manufacturing techniques (AM) may be employed for the fabrication of cermets. Since the AM process takes place in a layer‐by‐layer fashion, the fabrication of cermets can lead to the production of parts with intricate and complex shapes without boundaries. Laser powder‐bed fusion process and directed energy deposition are two major laser‐based techniques that can fabricate cermets/cemented carbides using the solidification route. One advantage of using solidification‐based AM technology is that it can produce near‐dense and near‐net‐shaped components without the need for further post‐processing. This review highlights recent advancements in the laser‐based solidification of cermets and cemented carbide, addressing their microstructural features, resulting properties, and the challenges inherent to these AM processes.