Cemented carbides belong to a class of hard, wear-resistant, refractory materials in which the hard carbide particles are bound together, or cemented, by a ductile metal binder. Cermet refers to a composite of a ceramic material with a metallic binder. This article discusses the manufacture, composition, classifications, and physical and mechanical properties of cemented carbides. It describes the application of hard coatings to cemented carbides by physical or chemical vapor deposition (PVD or CVD). Tungsten carbide-cobalt alloys, submicron tungsten carbide-cobalt alloys, and alloys containing tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, and cobalt are used for machining applications. The article also provides an overview of cermets used in machining applications.

Ceramic-metal composites, or cermets, combine the heat and wear resistance of ceramics with the formability of metals, filling an application niche that includes cutting tools, brake pads, heat shields, and turbine components. This article examines a wide range of cermets, including oxide cermets, carbide and carbonitride cermets, boride cermets, and other refractory types. It describes the powder metallurgy process by which cermets are produced, examining each step from powder preparation to post treatment. It discusses forming and compacting, injection molding, extrusion, rolling, pressing, slip casting, and sintering. It also discusses fundamental concepts such as chemical bonding, chemical composition, microstructure, and the development of physical and mechanical properties.

Cermets are a group of powder metallurgy products consisting of ceramic particles bonded with a metal. This article describes the composition and microstructure of titanium carbide and titanium carbonitride cermets. It tabulates typical properties of titanium carbonitride cermets and compares the properties of cermets and cemented carbides. The article also summarizes the applications of cermet cutting tools.