In Situ TiC‐Reinforced Steel Matrix: Heterogeneous Nucleation and Formation Mechanism of Divorced Eutectic TiC

Abstract

Divorced eutectic TiC (TiCE) influences the mechanical properties of TiC‐reinforced wear‐resistant steels. However, there is a lack of information with respect to the heterogeneous nucleation, growth, and formation mechanism of divorced TiCE. To this end, the morphology, orientation, and origin of the divorced TiCE in TiC‐reinforced wear‐resistant steel are thoroughly examined. Combined with the calculated planar disregistry between primary TiC (TiCP) and divorced TiCE and their actual orientation relationship examined using the electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technique, it is indicated that TiCP serves as the preferred heterogeneous site for divorced TiCE during solidification. The precipitation mechanism for the divorced TiCE on the TiCP is put forward and accounts for why the direction of [100] is the preferential growth direction.