Comparison of high Cr white iron composites reinforced with directly added TiC and in situ formed TiCx

Abstract Two kinds of high Cr white iron (HCWI) composites reinforced with directly added TiC (TiC/HCWI) and in situ formed TiCx (TiCx/HCWI) have been successfully synthesized by powder metallurgy method. The directly added TiC grains are irregular in shape with a mean size of about 2−4 μm, but the in situ formed TiCx grains from the decomposition of Ti3AlC2 are spherical and about 1–2 μm in size. The microstructure, mechanical properties and wear resistance of the two composites were compared. The in situ TiCx/HXCWI composite possesses finer microstructures and superior mechanical and wear resistant properties than TiC/HCWI composite. The phase composition and microstructure were characterized with X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.