Microstructure and Interface of TiC <i>In Situ</i> Synthesized Reinforced Steel-Based Surface Composite Prepared by V-EPC Infiltrating Method

Abstract

In order to optimize the processing parameters of TiC/steel composite materials, in-situ TiC particle reinforced steel-based surface composites were prepared by vacuum evaporative pattern casting (V-EPC) infiltration process, and the structure and interface of the composites were investigated. The results show that, TiC particle size with Ti-C-20wt%Fe reaction system was much smaller than the composite with Ti-C reaction system in the same location of the composites. In the composites, the TiC particle size and volume fraction increased and spherical degree dropped from the tradition layers (interface between the substrate and the composite layer) to the outer surface. But the increase of TiC particle size (1-3μm) and volume fractions (25.8%-43.5%) in the composite with Ti-C-20wt%Fe reaction system was obviously lower than that of TiC particle size (1-10μm) and volume fractions (12.3%- 67.7%) in the composite with Ti-C reaction system. The bond zone between TiC particles and the matrices was totally metallurgical bonding without apparent interface. Comparing with the composite with Ti-C-xFe reaction system, the tradition layer with Ti-C reaction system has a poorer internal quality. The forming process of TiC in situ synthesized reinforced steel substrate surface composites prepared by V-EPC infiltrating process was infiltrating of the melting and carbothermal reactions of C and Ti powder the result of joint action.