Fabrication of electroless Ni plated Fe-TiC metal matrix composites

Abstract

Ni-Fe metal matrix composites reinforced with TiC have been fabricated by tube furnace sintering at various temperatures. A uniform nickel layer on TiC and Fe powders was deposited using electroless plating technique prior to sintering, allowing closer surface contact than can be achieved using conventional methods, such as mechanical alloying. The reactivity between TiC and Fe powders, to form carbides of Fe, is controlled through Ni layer existing on the starting powders. A composite consisting of quaternary additions, a ceramic phase, TiC, within a matrix of FeNi, has been prepared at the temperature range 1000–1400°C under argon shroud. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope (SEM), compressive testing and hardness measurements were employed to characterize the properties of the specimens. Experimental results carried out at 1200°C suggest that the best properties, such as maximum compression strength (σ max ) and hardness (HB), were obtained at 1200°C and the tube sintering of electroless Ni plated TiC and Fe powders, is a promising technique to produce ceramic reinforced Ni-Fe composites.