Cermets with niobium carbides formed in situ in an iron matrix were studied.
The Al presence in the matrix of the cermet FeNbC10Al can contribute to wear resistance.
The higher hardness of the FeNbC5Al compared to other cermets were due to higher Si count.
The hardness of FeNbC5Al (830 HV10) is comparable to that of WC-Co hard metals for structural components.
Cermets Fe-NbC with smaller size carbides and more of them could compete hard metals.