Local composite reinforcements of TiC/FeMn type obtained in situ in steel castings

Abstract This dissertation concerns the method of obtaining the in situ local composite reinforcements (LCR – Locally Composite Reinforcement) of the TiC–FeMn type in steel castings. The reinforcing phase – titanium carbide (TiC) was obtained by placing the pressed substrates of the synthesis of TiC in the form of compacts into a mold cavity. The basic problem connected with fabricating TiC local composite reinforcements is the phenomenon of fragmentation. In order to reduce this phenomenon, a moderator composed of Hadfield steel at 70 and 90% by weight was introduced to the initial mixture of the TiC substrate powder. As a result, homogenous and dimensionally stable composite reinforcements of the austenite matrix were obtained and examined by analyzing their macrostructure, microstructure, structure, hardness, and wear resistance. An investigation of the phase analysis and microstructure confirmed the presence of the TiC phase in the structure of the composite zones. The hardness of the composite reinforcement ranged from 550 HV to 800 HV30 depending on the proportion between the percentage of the moderator and the content of the pure substrates of the synthesis reaction of the TiC.