Modeling of thermal stresses in the TiC-Cr 3 C 2 composites

Carbides of transition elements are mainly characterised by high hardness and high melting temperatures. However, their broader application as structural materials is limited due to their mediocre fracture toughness. The TiC-Cr3C2system investigated in the work is characterised by a limited mutual solubility of the components which enables synthesis of composite materials. Moreover, the presence of chromium carbide favourably in uences microstructure and properties of particulate composites of titanium carbide. During the investiga- tions, four series of composites with different amounts of chromium and titanium carbide were prepared. Their mechanical properties as well as microstructure were characterised which enabled modelling of thermal stresses state created due to differences in thermal expansion coefcients of the constituent phases. The results of calculations in the form of maps of the thermal stresses made possible t o analyse mechanisms of increasing fracture energy which resulted in toughening of the investigated systems. Keywords: Composites, TiC-Cr3C2, Thermal stresses, Modeling