Overlapping tracks processed by TIG melting TiC preplaced powder on low alloy steel surfaces

An overlapping composite track coating was produced on a steel surface by preplacing a 0·5 mm thick layer of TiC powder and then melting using a tungsten inert gas torch of constant energy input. The influence of the overlapping operation on preheating of the substrate, the dissolution of TiC particulates and the subsequent depth and hardness of the composite layer was analysed. The melt microstructure consisted of both undissolved and partially dissolved TiC particulates, together with a variety of morphologies and sizes of TiC particles precipitated during solidification. Preheating, resulting from the overlapping operation, occurred, producing additional melting of the TiC particulates and deeper melt depths but with a reduced volume fraction of TiC precipitates in the subsequent tracks. A maximum hardness of over 800 HV was developed in the composite layer. The high hardness was unevenly distributed in tracks melted at the initial and final stages, while it varied across the melt depths in other tracks.     

Fabrication of in situ TiC locally reinforced manganese steel matrix composite via combustion synthesis during casting

In situ TiC particulates locally reinforced manganese (Mn) steel matrix composite was successfully fabricated via combustion synthesis of (Fe,Ti)–C system during casting. XRD results reveal that the phases of the composites consist of TiC, α-Fe and austenite. Microstructure of the locally reinforced manganese (Mn) steel matrix composite consists of three separate regions, i.e. a TiC particulate-reinforced region, a transition region, a steel matrix region. TiC particles in the reinforced region, having fine size of 2 μm, are distributed uniformly. The hardness and wear resistance of the TiC particulates locally reinforced composites are much higher than those of quenched Mn13 steel. Furthermore, the microstructure formation mechanism of the composite was discussed.     

Mo对TiC/Al复合材料组织和性能的影响

为了细化TiC/Al基复合材料中的增强颗粒,进一步提高TiC颗粒对基体的强化效果,在锻铝6A02基体中加入适量Mo元素,用原位合成的方法制备TiC/Al基复合材料.对制备得到的铸态和轧制态材料进行了显微组织观察、拉伸和磨损实验.结果表明,TiC颗粒可以作为异质形核核心起到细化基体组织的作用.TiC颗粒的引入提高了材料在室温和高温的抗拉强度和屈服强度,同时改善了材料的耐磨损性能,且随着载荷的增加,耐磨性能的提高越明显.当加入质量分数1.0%的Mo时,可改善基体对TiC颗粒的润湿性,细化TiC颗粒的尺寸(0.5μm),使TiC颗粒分布更为均匀,材料的力学性能和磨损性能得到提高.然而,过高的Mo含量将导致在组织中出现粗大的脆性Al5Mo相,同时使材料的力学性能和磨损性能有所降低.     

Investigation of microstructure,hardness and wear properties of Al–4.5 wt.% Cu–TiC nanocomposites produced by mechanical milling

The present work deals with studies on the manufacturing and investigation of mechanical and wear behavior of aluminum alloy matrix composites (AAMCs), produced using powder metallurgy technique of ball milled mixing in a high energy attritor and using a blend–press–sinter methodology. Matrix of pre-mechanical alloyed Al–4.5 wt.% Cu was used to which different fractions of nano and micron size TiC reinforcing particles (ranging from 0 to 10 wt.%) were added. The powders were mixed using a planetary ball mill. Consolidation was conducted by uniaxial pressing at 650 MPa. Sintering procedure was done at 400 °C for 90 min. The results indicated that as TiC particle size is reduced to nanometre scale and the TiC content is increased up to optimum levels, the hardness and wear resistance of the composite increase significantly, whereas relative density, grain size and distribution homogeneity decrease. Using micron size reinforcing particulates from 5% to 10 wt.%, results in a significant hardness reduction of the composite from 174 to 98 HVN. Microstructural characterization of the as-pressed samples revealed reasonably uniform distribution of TiC reinforcing particulates and presence of minimal porosity. The wear test disclosed that the wear resistance of all specimens increases with the addition of nano and micron size TiC particles (up to 5 wt.%). Scanning electron microscopic observation of the worn surfaces was conducted and the dominant wear mechanism was recognized as abrasive wear accompanied by some delamination wear mechanism.     

激光熔覆TiCp／Ni基合金复合涂层中TiCp的行为

通过激光熔覆TiCp/Ni基合金复合涂层微观组织的研究表明,TiC颗粒在熔覆过程中表面发生部分溶解,当凝固时,溶解的部分TiC在残留TiC颗粒上重新外延生长析出,并与基体合金元素产生附加合金化,同时,TiC颗粒成为从激光熔体凝固各相优先形核的基底;TiC颗粒与凝固前沿间的相互作用控制其微观分布。     

Creep rupture behaviors of a laser melting deposited TiC/TA15 in situ titanium matrix composite

The creep rupture behaviors of a laser melting deposited in situ TA15 titanium matrix composite reinforced by 10.8 vol.% TiC particulates were investigated at 873 and 923 K. The as-deposited TiC reinforcements were mainly in near-equiaxed and coarse dendritic with a stoichiometry of TiC_0.71. The composite exhibited a superior creep resistance to the monolithic titanium alloy. The creep rupture mechanism was dominated by a mixture of particle cracking, interface debonding and interparticle voiding. Voids nucleated at broken particles, debonded interfaces and interparticle matrix at the initial stage of rupture. The growth, coalescence and transverse linkage of these voids through the matrix contributed to the final failure of the composite. The strengthening in creep resistance of the composite was mainly attributed to the load transfer from the matrix to the particle reinforcements and the refinement of the Widmanstätten matrix.     

Effect of reinforcements on strength of Mg9%Al composites

Magnesium-based composites reinforced respectively with four types of particulates at different volume fraction were synthesized through powder metallurgy rout. Mechanical properties show that incorporation of TiB₂ particulates leads to a reduction in the yield stress of the composite while use of ZrB₂ and SiC reinforcements enhances mechanical properties. TiC shows less effect on the yield stress of the composite. The strengths of the four composites increase with increasing volume fraction of particulates at initial stage while decrease at high volume fraction. The optimal volume fraction is about 8%.     

Fabrication of (TiB<Subscript>2</Subscript> − TiC)<Subscript>p</Subscript>/AZ91 magnesium matrix hybrid composite

Magnesium MMCs reinforced with TiB₂−TiC particulates were fabricated successfully via a master alloy route using a low cost Al-Ti-B₄C system as starting material system. Microstructural characterization of the (TiB₂−TiC)/AZ91 composite shows relatively uniform distribution of TiB₂ and TiC particulates in the matrix material. Moreover, the results show that the hardness and wear resistance of the composites are higher than those of the unreinforced AZ91 alloy.     

Effect of tempering temperatures on microstructures and properties of 0.28C–0.22Ti wear-resistant steel

The microstructures and properties of a 0.28C–0.22Ti low-alloy wear-resistant steel at different temperatures from 200 to 600°C was experimentally studied. It is shown that the wear resistance of the steel is not monotone changing with its hardness and strength. With the increase of the tempering temperature, the tensile strength and the hardness of the steels were gradually declined; however, the wear resistance was first decreased and then increased. The TiC particles can be divided into two classes: the small TiC particles (about 0.3–0.4?µm in diameter) and the coarse TiC particles (1–5?µm in diameter). The small TiC particles can improve the yield strength of the steels, and the coarse TiC particles can improve the wear resistance of the tested steels.     

Microstructure and abrasive behaviors of TiC-316L composites prepared by warm compaction and microwave sintering

316L stainless steel composites with various weight fractions of TiC particles were prepared using warm compaction and microwave sintering. Abrasion resistance measurements were used to study the abrasive behaviors of TiC-316L stainless steel composites. The effects of TiC content and preparation methods on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel composites have been investigated. The results showed that the sample prepared by warm compaction and microwave sintering exhibited significantly superior densification, higher hardness, and better abrasion resistance when compared with conventionally processed counterpart. TiC particles reinforcement improved the abrasion resistance of 316L stainless steel, and the abrasion resistance of the composites was considerably better than that of the 316L stainless steel. The volume loss initially decreases with increasing TiC content up to 5 wt.%, it then slightly increases as increase the TiC particles content to 10 and 15 wt.%. In this present abrasion tests, the composites using 5 wt.% TiC addition offers a high abrasion resistance.     

Microstructural studies and wear assessments of Ti/TiC surface composite coatings on commercial pure Ti produced by titanium cored wires and TIG process

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) process and titanium cored wires filled with micro size TiC particles were employed to produce surface composite coatings on commercial pure Ti substrate for wear resistance improvement. Wire drawing process was utilized to produce several cored wires from titanium strips and titanium carbide powders. Subsequently, these cored wires were melted and coated on commercial pure Ti using TIG process. This procedure was repeated at different current intensities and welding travel speeds. Composite coating tracks were found to be affected by TIG heat input. The microstructural studies using optical and scanning electron microscopy supported by X-ray diffraction showed that the surface composite coatings consisted of α′-Ti, spherical and dendritic TiC particles. Also, greater volume fractions of TiC particles in the coatings were found at lower heat input. A maximum microhardness value of about 1100 HV was measured which is more than 7 times higher than the substrate material. Pin-on-disk wear tests exhibited a better performance of the surface composite coatings than the untreated material which was attributed to the presence of TiC particles in the microstructure.     

激光熔覆沉积钛基复合材料的组织及性能

通过在激光熔覆沉积过程中向熔池内送入一定比例纯Ti粉和B4C颗粒，直接制备出钛基复合材料，分析了所制备材料的微观组织、相组成及性能。结果表明，在激光熔覆沉积过程中，Ti粉和B4C颗粒发生原位反应，生成与基体界面结合良好的TiC和TiB增强相，TiC为短棒状或颗粒状，TiB为短纤维状，复合材料中同时有大量未完全反应的B4C颗粒存在，所制备钛基复合材料的抗拉强度、硬度较激光熔覆沉积的纯钛有较大幅度的提高。     

Microstructure and micro‐hardness of in situ synthesized TiC particles reinforced Fe‐based alloy composite coating by laser cladding

A Fe‐based composite coating reinforced by in situ synthesized TiC particles was fabricated on Cr12MoV steel by using 6 KW fiber laser cladding. A serial of experiment has been carried out with different laser power, scanning speed, and powder feed rate, from which TiC could be in situ synthesized only in certain realms laser cladding parameters. X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope and a hardness tester are used to test the microstructure, micro‐hardness and component distribution. The coating is mainly composed of alpha ;‐Fe, TiC and Fe₃C. TiC particles were commonly precipitated in three kinds of morphologies, such as quadrangle, cluster, and flower‐like shape. The grains were refined, and there were no cracks and few stomas. Defect‐free coating with metallurgical joint to the substrate was obtained. TiC distributed more concentratively in the upper layers than the middle and bottom layers. From the surface of cladding layer 0.8 mm the highest micro‐hardness was up to HV930, obviously higher than that of the substrate.     

Processing and Characterization of In Situ (TiC–TiB2)p/AZ91D Magnesium Matrix Composites

In this paper, a practical and cost‐effective processing route, in situ reactive infiltration technique, was utilized to fabricate magnesium matrix composites reinforced with a network of TiC–TiB₂ particulates. These ceramic reinforcement phases were synthesized in situ from Ti and B₄C powders without any addition of a third metal powder such as Al. The molten Mg alloy infiltrates the preform of (Ti_p + B₄C_p) by capillary forces. The microstructure of the composites was investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM)/energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS). The compression behavior of the composites processed at different conditions was investigated. Also, the flexural strength behavior was assessed through the four‐point‐bending test at room temperature. Microstructural characterization of the (TiB₂–TiC)/AZ91D composite processed at 900 °C for 1.5 h shows a relatively uniform distribution of TiB₂ and TiC particulates in the matrix material resulting in the highest compressive strength and Young's modulus. Compared with those of the unreinforced AZ91D Mg alloy, the elastic modulus, flexural and compressive strengths of the composite are greatly improved. In contrast, the ductility is lower than that of the unreinforced AZ91D Mg alloy. However, this lower ductility was improved by the addition of MgH₂ powder in the preform. Secondary scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the fracture surfaces after the flexural strength test. The composites show signs of mixed fracture; cleavage regions and some dimpling. In addition, microcracks observed in the matrix show that the failure might have initiated in the matrix rather than from the reinforcing particulates.     

Influence of TiC particle size on the load-independent hardness of Al2O3–TiC composites

Seven samples of Al₂O₃–30 wt.% TiC composites were prepared by hot-pressing the Al₂O₃ powder mixed with TiC particles of different particle sizes. Knoop and Vickers hardness measurements were conducted on these samples, respectively, in the indentation load range from 1.47 to 35.77 N. The load-independent hardness numbers were then determined by analyzing the relationship between the measured indentation size and the applied indentation load. It was found that the load-independent hardness number increases with the increasing TiC particle size, and this experimental phenomenon may be attributed to the effect of the residual internal stress resulting from the mismatch between the thermal expansion of Al₂O₃ matrix and that of the TiC particles.     

Multi-phase aluminide-based composites – fabrication,microstructure and properties

Microstructures of Al45–Mo25–Zr25–Ge5 (in at.%, AMZG) alloy, produced by reaction hot pressing of elemental powder mixtures, have shown co-existence of AlMo₃, Al₃Mo₈, ZrAl₂, Zr₂Al, MoGe₂ and ZrGe₂. In addition, its composites were fabricated through addition of micro-sized TiC, partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ-ZrO₂) or SiC particulates into the pulverized multi-phase aluminide powders. The presence of SiC particulates showed a much less significant contribution to the strength/toughness enhancement of AMZG alloy, due to the existence of residual porosity and weak interfacial bonding. In contrast, the other two composites were superior in both flexural strength and fracture toughness to the AMZG multi-phase alloy, which is derived from the contribution of uniformly distributed and well-embedded harder particulates and the constrained plastic deformation of the matrix. The addition of hard ceramic particles simultaneously yielded higher bulk Vickers hardness. The toughness enhancement in the composites was attributed to the increased tortuousity by crack deflection, branching and bridging. Moreover, the transformation of tetragonal zirconia particles into the monoclinic form might also partially contribute to the toughness enhancement in the AMZG/ZrO₂ composite.     

Investigation on the Fe-based PM materials reinforced by In Situ synthesized TiC particulates

Atomized iron powder, carbonyl nickel powder, molybdenum powder, electrolytic copper powder, titanium powder and graphite powder were used as experimental materials; the titanium and graphite powders were added by an atomic ratio of Ti/C = 1:1 (the addition of Ti was 0 ～ 4 wt%) to Fe-2Ni-0.5Mo-2Cu-0.3C powder, and the iron-based powder metallurgy materials reinforced by in situ-synthesized TiC particulates were prepared by a powder metallurgy technique. The results show that the microstructures of sintered samples are mainly pearlite, ferrite and bainite. The amount of pearlite increases with the increase of Ti content, whereas the ferrite and bainite decrease. TiC particles sized 0.3 µm distribute mainly near the grain boundary of pearlite. The apparent hardness of sintered samples increases, while the sintered density and flexural strength decrease with the increase of Ti content. The fracture morphology of the sintered materials is brittle type.     

Thermite Synthesis of TiC/FeNiCr Cermet with Double-Layer Structure

TiC/FeNiCr cermet with TiC particles as hard phases and FeNiCr alloy as binder phase was in situ synthesized by thermite reactions under high gravity. A double-layer structure was obtained, including an upper layer enriched with TiC particles and an under layer with few TiC particles. Between the two layers, no interfacial line, pores, or defaults existed. A large amount of needle-like Cr₇C₃ phases were homogeneously dispersed in the FeNiCr binder phase as multiple reinforcements. A braiding structure was formed between the precipitated NiAl phases and the matrix, where the two phases kept a coherent or semi-coherent relationship. The hardness and wear resistance were evaluated, and the upper layer possessed high hardness and excellent wear resistance.     

Rapid fabrication of in situ TiC particulates reinforced Fe-based composites by spark plasma sintering

TiC particulates reinforced Fe-based composites have been fabricated using ferrotitanium and carbon black powders with the combination of in situ and spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The sintering and densification behaviors were investigated. The results show that when the composite was sintered at 1150 °C for 5 min, the maximum relative density and hardness are 99.2% and 83.2 HRA, respectively. The phase evolution during sintering indicates that the in situ reaction occurs evidently between 850 °C and 1050 °C. The microstructure investigation demonstrates that with the rapid in situ SPS technique, fine TiC particulates with a size of ~ 1 μm are homogeneously distributed in the matrix.     

In situ formation of TiC particulate composite layer on cast iron by laser alloying of thermal sprayed titanium coating

Commercial flake graphite cast iron substrate was coated with titanium powder by low pressure plasma spraying and was irradiated with a CO₂ laser to produce the wear resistant composite layer. The macro and microstructural changes of an alloyed layer with the traveling speeds of laser beam, the precipitate morphology of TiC particulate and the hardness profile of the alloyed layer was examined. From the results, it was possible to composite TiC particulate on the surface layer by direct reaction between carbon existed in the cast iron matrix and titanium with thermal sprayed coating by remelting and alloying them using laser irradiation. The cooling rate of the laser remelted cast iron substrate without a titanium coating was about 1 × 10⁴ K/s to 1 × 10⁵ K/s in the order under the condition of this study. The microstructure of the alloyed layer consisted of three zones; the TiC particulate precipitate zone (MHV 400–500), the mixed zone of TiC particulate + ledeburite (MHV 650–900) and the ledeburite zone (MHV 500–700). TiC particulates were precipitated as a typical dendritic morphology. The secondary TiC dendrite arms were grown to a polygonized shape and were necking. Then the separated arms became cubic crystal of TiC at the slowly solidified zone. In the rapidly solidified zone near the fusion boundary, however the fine granular TiC particulates were grouped like grapes.