Production and properties of steel–TiC composites for Wear applications

Abstract
Fe–(WTi)C composite granules containing up to 80 wt-% carbide have been produced by a selfpropagating high temperature synthesis reaction. These can be readily distributed in conventional steel melts. Additions up to 17 wt-% carbide have been made to a 0·4 wt-%C steel which was subsequently cast and hot rolled to plate. The microstructures of cast, rolled, and heat treated. samples display a homogeneous distribution of carbides which do not significantly affect the rolling performance of the steels. The carbides and grain refinement in heat treated samples result in a marked improvement in mechanical properties. The most significant improvement as a fraction of carbide additions is seen in abrasive wear performance. MST/3196