Review on the microstructure and mechanical properties of TiC-NbC synergistically strengthened iron-based alloy wear-resistant coatings

SHAO Rui; LI Ziyi; FENG Zhongxue; CHEN Min; LIU Xuyang; WENG Liu; ZHANG Xuefeng

doi:10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.01.006

Volume 47 Issue 1

Feb. 2026

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SHAO Rui, LI Ziyi, FENG Zhongxue, CHEN Min, LIU Xuyang, WENG Liu, ZHANG Xuefeng. Review on the microstructure and mechanical properties of TiC-NbC synergistically strengthened iron-based alloy wear-resistant coatings[J]. IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM, 2026, 47(1): 49-61. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.01.006

Citation:

SHAO Rui, LI Ziyi, FENG Zhongxue, CHEN Min, LIU Xuyang, WENG Liu, ZHANG Xuefeng. Review on the microstructure and mechanical properties of TiC-NbC synergistically strengthened iron-based alloy wear-resistant coatings[J]. IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM, 2026, 47(1): 49-61. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.01.006

Citation:

SHAO Rui, LI Ziyi, FENG Zhongxue, CHEN Min, LIU Xuyang, WENG Liu, ZHANG Xuefeng. Review on the microstructure and mechanical properties of TiC-NbC synergistically strengthened iron-based alloy wear-resistant coatings[J]. IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM, 2026, 47(1): 49-61. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.01.006

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Review on the microstructure and mechanical properties of TiC-NbC synergistically strengthened iron-based alloy wear-resistant coatings

doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.01.006

SHAO Rui^1
,,
LI Ziyi¹,
FENG Zhongxue^{1, 2
,
,},
CHEN Min^{2, 3},
LIU Xuyang⁴,
WENG Liu³,
ZHANG Xuefeng²

1.
Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, Yunnan, China
2.
Sichuan Vanadium & Titanium Industrial Technology Institute, Panzhihua 617000, Sichuan, China
3.
College of Titanium and Vanadium, Panzhihua University, Panzhihua, 617000, Sichuan, China
4.
College of Aerospace Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China

More Information

Received Date: 2025-09-09
Accepted Date: 2025-11-27
Rev Recd Date: 2025-11-07

Available Online: 2026-02-28

Publish Date: 2026-02-28

Abstract

Abstract

Under extreme operating conditions such as high temperature, heavy load, and high-speed friction, applying advanced surface engineering technologies to fabricate iron-based wear-resistant coatings on steel substrates is an effective approach to extend the service life of critical components and promote resource recycling. In conventional Fe-Cr-C alloys, coarse primary M₇C₃-type carbides often form; these brittle phases can readily become crack initiation sites under severe service conditions, compromising the coating’s durability. The addition of Nb can lead to the precipitation of fine NbC particles at grain boundaries, thereby suppressing crack initiation and reducing the propensity for cracking. However, excessive Nb addition may cause NbC to agglomerate and form coarse particles, which is detrimental to coating performance. Further introduction of Ti enables in-situ reactions with C to form stable and high-hardness TiC, which can act as heterogeneous nucleation sites for NbC, thus refining and homogenizing the microstructure and effectively enhancing the overall properties of the coating. This review summarizes the nucleation mechanisms involving the synergistic effect of in-situ formed TiC and NbC, and discusses the influence of Nb and Ti additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Fe-Cr-C-based alloy coatings, providing theoretical support for the applied research of high-performance wear-resistant iron-based alloy coatings.
- steel,
- iron-based alloys coating,
- TiC,
- NbC,
- microstructure,
- mechanical properties

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References(52)

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