Research on the microstructure and wear-resistance of TiC reinforced high chromium cast iron composites

XU Chi; WANG Shuai; LI Jinwei; WANG Juan; CHEN Rongqin; ZHENG Kaihong

doi:10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.03.009

Volume 47 Issue 3

Jun. 2026

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM > 2026 > 47(3): 84-91

XU Chi, WANG Shuai, LI Jinwei, WANG Juan, CHEN Rongqin, ZHENG Kaihong. Research on the microstructure and wear-resistance of TiC reinforced high chromium cast iron composites[J]. IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM, 2026, 47(3): 84-91. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.03.009

Citation:

XU Chi, WANG Shuai, LI Jinwei, WANG Juan, CHEN Rongqin, ZHENG Kaihong. Research on the microstructure and wear-resistance of TiC reinforced high chromium cast iron composites[J]. IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM, 2026, 47(3): 84-91. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.03.009

Citation:

XU Chi, WANG Shuai, LI Jinwei, WANG Juan, CHEN Rongqin, ZHENG Kaihong. Research on the microstructure and wear-resistance of TiC reinforced high chromium cast iron composites[J]. IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM, 2026, 47(3): 84-91. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.03.009

PDF( 2734 KB)

Research on the microstructure and wear-resistance of TiC reinforced high chromium cast iron composites

doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.03.009

XU Chi^{1, 2
,},
WANG Shuai²,
LI Jinwei³,
WANG Juan²,
CHEN Rongqin³,
ZHENG Kaihong^{1, 2
,
,}

1.
School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222006, Jiangsu, China
2.
National Engineering Research Center of Powder Metallurgy of Titanium & Rare Metals, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Metal Toughening Technology and Application, Institute of New Materials, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, Guangdong, China
3.
Guanghang Dredging Co., Ltd., CCCC Guangzhou Dredging Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510290, Guangdong, China

More Information

Received Date: 2025-11-19
Accepted Date: 2025-12-29
Rev Recd Date: 2025-12-19
Publish Date: 2026-06-29

Abstract

Abstract

TiC reinforced high-chromium cast iron matrix composites with different TiC mass fractions (30%, 40%, 50%) were prepared by powder metallurgy method, and the relationship between their microstructure and properties was systematically studied. The results show that the composite material is mainly composed of Fe-Cr phase, (Cr,Fe)₇C₃ phase, and TiC particles, with significant differences in microstructure under different TiC contents. At a TiC mass fraction of 30%, it exhibits a dispersed distribution structure, where black TiC particles are uniformly dispersed in the matrix without obvious agglomeration, the porosity is only 3.5%, and the structure is dense. At 40%, the reinforcing phase aggregates compactly, the spacing of TiC particles further decreases, and they bond closely with the matrix interface, significantly enhancing the dispersion strengthening effect. When the TiC content increases to 50%, it presents an agglomeration-porosity structure, the agglomeration phenomenon intensifies sharply, the porosity jumps to 11.4%, local connected micropores are formed, and the density decreases significantly. Correspondingly, the hardness and wear resistance first increased and then decreased. The 40% composite material had the best comprehensive performance, with a hardness （HV）of 1619.1 and an impact wear weight loss rate as low as 0.0732 g/h. Due to the synergistic effect of agglomeration-pore defects, the hardness of 50% of the samples fluctuated significantly, and the wear rate rebounded to 0.168 g/h, with a marked deterioration in performance.
- high-chromium cast iron-based composite materials,
- TiC reinforcing particles,
- powder metallurgy,
- impact wear,
- Vickers hardness

FullText(HTML)

References(27)

References

[1]	OLEJNIK E, SZYMANSKI L, TOKARSKI T, et al. Local composite reinforcements of TiC/FeMn type obtained in situ in steel castings[J]. Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, 2019, 19(4): 997-1005. doi: 10.1016/j.acme.2019.05.004
[2]	WANG S, LI Y, WANG J, et al. Effect of sintering temperature on the microstructure and properties of Ti/W-C reinforced Fe-based composites[J]. Vacuum, 2021, 194: 110617. doi: 10.1016/j.vacuum.2021.110617
[3]	UEMATSU Y, KAKIUCHI T, TOKAJI K. Effects of shot peening on fatigue behavior in high speed steel and cast iron with spheroidal vanadium carbides dispersed within martensitic-matrix microstructure[J]. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 2013, 561: 386-393.
[4]	CAO Y B, ZHI S X, GAO O, et al. Formation behavior of in-situ NbC in Fe-based laser cladding coatings[J]. Materials Characterization, 2016, 119: 159-165. doi: 10.1016/j.matchar.2016.08.005
[5]	ZHAO N N, XU Y H, WANG J F, et al. Microstructure and kinetics study on tantalum carbide coating produced on gray cast iron in situ[J]. Surface and Coatings Technology, 2016, 286: 347-353. doi: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2015.12.057
[6]	ZHONG L S, ZHANG X, CHEN S L, et al. Fe-W-C thermodynamics and in situ preparation of tungsten carbide-reinforced iron-based diffusion[J]. International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials, 2016, 57: 42-49.
[7]	HUANG S G, VLEUGELS J, MOHRBACHER H. Stainless steel bonded NbC matrix cermets using a submicron NbC starting powder[J]. International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials, 2017, 63: 26-31. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2016.04.021
[8]	DOBRZAŃSKI L A, LABISZ K, JONDA E, et al. Comparison of the surface alloying of the 32CrMoV12-28 tool steel using TiC and WC powder[J]. Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 2007, 191(1-3): 321-325. doi: 10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2007.03.091
[9]	DU B, PAITAL S R, DAHOTRE N B. Phase constituents and microstructure of laser synthesized TiB₂–TiC reinforced composite coating on steel[J]. Scripta Materialia, 2008, 59(10): 1147-1150. doi: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2008.07.035
[10]	MAHMOODIAN R, HASSAN M A, RAHBARI R G, et al. A novel fabrication method for TiC–Al₂O₃–Fe functional material under centrifugal acceleration[J]. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2013, 50: 187-192. doi: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.02.016
[11]	SHEN X, LI Y, WANG J, et al. Diffusion bonding of Al₂O₃-TiC composite ceramic and W₁₈Cr₄V high speed steel in vacuum[J]. Vacuum, 2009, 84(3): 378-381. doi: 10.1016/j.vacuum.2009.07.012
[12]	SRIVASTAVA A K, DAS K. Microstructural and mechanical characterization of in situ TiC and (Ti, W)C-reinforced high manganese austenitic steel matrix composites[J]. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 2009, 516(1-2): 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.msea.2009.04.041
[13]	ZHANG Z Y, LIANG Y L. Preparation and interface analysis of graphene nanosheets reinforced pure titanium matrix composites[J]. Iron Steel Vanadium Titanium, 2019, 40(4): 45-50. (张在玉, 梁益龙. 石墨烯纳米片增强纯钛基体复合材料的制备及界面分析[J]. 钢铁钒钛, 2019, 40(4): 45-50. ZHANG Z Y, LIANG Y L. Preparation and interface analysis of graphene nanosheets reinforced pure titanium matrix composites[J]. Iron Steel Vanadium Titanium, 2019, 40（4）: 45-50.
[14]	ZHANG H J, WANG S, ZHENG K H, et al. Study on microstructure and properties of TiC-based high manganese steel bonded cemented carbide prepared by spark plasma sintering[J]. Iron Steel Vanadium Titanium, 2022, 43(5): 75-80. (张怀举, 王帅, 郑开宏, 等. 放电等离子烧结制备TiC基高锰钢结硬质合金的组织与性能研究[J]. 钢铁钒钛, 2022, 43(5): 75-80. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2022.05.011 ZHANG H J, WANG S, ZHENG K H, et al. Study on microstructure and properties of TiC-based high manganese steel bonded cemented carbide prepared by spark plasma sintering[J]. Iron Steel Vanadium Titanium, 2022, 43（5）: 75-80. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2022.05.011
[15]	LI W J, GUO Y, YANG Y D, et al. Study on the preparation of spherical TiC mamopowder by moltensalt method[J]. Iron Steel Vanadium Titanium, 2023, 44(4): 10-17. (李文靓, 郭赟, 杨亚东, 等. 熔盐法制备球形碳化钛纳米粉体的研究[J]. 钢铁钒钛, 2023, 44(4): 10-17. LI W J, GUO Y, YANG Y D, et al. Study on the preparation of spherical TiC mamopowder by moltensalt method[J]. Iron Steel Vanadium Titanium, 2023, 44（4）: 10-17.
[16]	LI X C, YANG Q. The influence of TiC content on the microstructure and properties of TiC/Cu composites[J]. Rare Metals and Cemented Carbide, 2017, 45(1): 46-51. (李小池, 杨巧. TiC含量对TiC/Cu复合材料组织与性能的影响[J]. 稀有金属与硬质合金, 2017, 45(1): 46-51. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1002-185X.2013.07.013 LI X C, YANG Q. The influence of TiC content on the microstructure and properties of TiC/Cu composites[J]. Rare Metals and Cemented Carbide, 2017, 45（1）: 46-51. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1002-185X.2013.07.013
[17]	LI X K, CAI M, QI Y Y, et al. Research on the preparation of Ti₃AlC₂ ceramics by powde metallurgy[J]. Journal of Shenyang Ligong University, 2020, 39(1): 24-28, 34. (李喜坤, 蔡明, 齐艳雨, 等. 粉末冶金法制备Ti₃AlC₂陶瓷研究[J]. 沈阳理工大学学报, 2020, 39(1): 24-28,34. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1003-1251.2020.01.006 LI X K, CAI M, QI Y Y, et al. Research on the preparation of Ti₃AlC₂ ceramics by powde metallurgy[J]. Journal of Shenyang Ligong University, 2020, 39（1）: 24-28, 34. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1003-1251.2020.01.006
[18]	XU J H, WANG X G, YAO Z H. The influence of powder metallurgy preparation process on the properties of TiC reinforced high-chromium cast iron matrix composites[J]. Materials Engineering, 2022, 50(9): 105-112. (许家豪, 汪选国, 姚振华. 粉末冶金制备工艺对TiC增强高铬铸铁基复合材料性能的影响[J]. 材料工程, 2022, 50(9): 105-112. XU J H, WANG X G, YAO Z H. The influence of powder metallurgy preparation process on the properties of TiC reinforced high-chromium cast iron matrix composites[J]. Materials Engineering, 2022, 50（9）: 105-112.
[19]	WANG M S, WANG S, LONG J, et al. Investigation of microstructures and wear properties of TiC-TiWC₂ reinforced high chromium cast lron matrix composites[J]. Materials Research and Application, 2025, 19(1): 164-170. (王茂森, 王帅, 龙骏, 等. TiC-TiWC₂增强高铬铸铁基复合材料的组织与磨损性能研究[J]. 材料研究与应用, 2025, 19(1): 164-170. doi: 10.20038/j.cnki.mra.2025.000116 WANG M S, WANG S, LONG J, et al. Investigation of microstructures and wear properties of TiC-TiWC₂ reinforced high chromium cast lron matrix composites[J]. Materials Research and Application, 2025, 19（1）: 164-170. doi: 10.20038/j.cnki.mra.2025.000116
[20]	CAO X J, JIN J F, CAO J Y, et al. Wear resistance of lron matrix composites reinforced by mixed-type particles[J]. Journal of Materials Engineering, 2017, 45(8): 62-67. (曹新建, 金剑锋, 曹敬袆, 等. 不同类型颗粒混合增强铁基复合材料的磨损性能[J]. 材料工程, 2017, 45(8): 62-67. CAO X J, JIN J F, CAO J Y, et al. Wear resistance of lron matrix composites reinforced by mixed-type particles[J]. Journal of Materials Engineering, 2017, 45（8）: 62-67.
[21]	SZYMAŃSKI Ł, SOBCZAK J J, PEDDETI K, et al. Production of metal matrix composite reinforced by TiC by reactive infiltration of cast iron into Ti + C preforms[J]. Ceramics International, 2024, 50(10): 17452-17464. doi: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2024.02.233
[22]	ZHANG T, SHAN Q, LI Z, et al. Effects of TiC and residual austenite synergistic strengthening mechanism on impact-abrasive wear behavior of bainite steel[J]. Wear, 2021, 486: 204088. doi: 10.1016/j.wear.2021.204088
[23]	GU J H, XIAO P A, XIAO L Y, et al. Microstructure and mechanical properties of TiC particle enhanced high chromium iron[J]. Powder Metallurgy Technology, 2021, 39(4): 319-325. (顾景洪, 肖平安, 肖利洋, 等. TiC_P颗粒增强高铬铸铁复合材料的显微组织和力学性能[J]. 粉末冶金技术, 2021, 39(4): 319-325. doi: 10.19591/j.cnki.cn11-1974/tf.2020080001 GU J H, XIAO P A, XIAO L Y, et al. Microstructure and mechanical properties of TiC particle enhanced high chromium iron[J]. Powder Metallurgy Technology, 2021, 39（4）: 319-325. doi: 10.19591/j.cnki.cn11-1974/tf.2020080001
[24]	LUAN D C, DING W C, LI M H, et al. Erosion-wear resistance of polyurethane-Si₃N₄ composite[J]. Tribology, 2004, 24(3): 268-271. (栾道成, 丁武成, 李茂华, 等. 聚氨酯-Si₃N₄陶瓷复合材料浆体冲蚀磨损性能研究[J]. 摩擦学学报, 2004, 24(3): 268-271. doi: 10.3321/j.issn:1004-0595.2004.03.017 LUAN D C, DING W C, LI M H, et al. Erosion-wear resistance of polyurethane-Si₃N₄ composite[J]. Tribology, 2004, 24（3）: 268-271. doi: 10.3321/j.issn:1004-0595.2004.03.017
[25]	WANG S, WANG M S, ZHENG Z B, et al. Relationship between microstructural evolution and wear behaviour of in-situ Fe3W3C particles reinforced iron matrix composites[J]. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2026, 347: 131461. doi: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131461
[26]	JU Y. Friction and wear behavior of carbon/nitrogen Co-permeated layer on mild steel in dry sliding against a bearing seel at an extremely high speed[J]. Tribology, 2002, 22(1): 71-74. (居毅. 碳钢表面碳-氮共渗层在高速干摩擦条件下的摩擦学性能研究[J]. 摩擦学学报, 2002, 22(1): 71-74. doi: 10.3321/j.issn:1004-0595.2002.01.017 JU Y. Friction and wear behavior of carbon/nitrogen Co-permeated layer on mild steel in dry sliding against a bearing seel at an extremely high speed[J]. Tribology, 2002, 22（1）: 71-74. doi: 10.3321/j.issn:1004-0595.2002.01.017
[27]	SUN X L, WANG S, LIU C Y, et al. Wear properties of TiC particle reinforced iron matrix composites prepared by casting sintering method[J]. Iron Steel Vanadium Titanium, 2023, 44(6): 70-75. (孙雪莉, 王帅, 刘晨宇, 等. 铸造烧结法制备TiC颗粒增强铁基复合材料的磨损性能[J]. 钢铁钒钛, 2023, 44(6): 70-75. SUN X L, WANG S, LIU C Y, et al. Wear properties of TiC particle reinforced iron matrix composites prepared by casting sintering method[J]. Iron Steel Vanadium Titanium, 2023, 44（6）: 70-75.