Microstructure and Wear Property of TiC Particles Reinforced Iron Matrix Composite Produced In-situ

Using powder metallurgy technique,the TiC/Fe matrix composite was fabricated in situ.The microstructure of the composite was investigated using X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron microscope(SEM).The differential thermal analysis(DTA) and high-temperature X-ray diffraction were applied to study the reaction principle of the Fe-Ti-C system.The wear-resistance of TiC/Fe matrix composite was examined on a MM-200 wear-test machine.The results showed that the synthesized composite consists of fine TiC particles,Fe3C andα-Fe as the binder phase.TiC particles exhibit fine size and homogeneous distribution in the matrix.The reaction principle is as follows: first,allotropic changing α-Feγ-Fe at 765.6 ℃;secondly,the formation of compound Fe2Ti at 1078.4 ℃ through the eutectic reaction between Ti and Fe;thirdly,thereaction between carbon and melted Fe2Ti causing the formation of TiC at 1138.2 ℃.Under the condition of dry sliding with heavy loads,TiC/Fe matrix composite shows better wear-resistance.