Preparation and characterization of TiC particulate locally reinforced steel matrix composites from Cu–Ti–C system with various C particles

The fabrication of steel-matrix composites locally reinforced with TiC particulates by the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) reactions in the 20 wt.% Cu–Ti–C system with various C particle sizes during casting has been investigated, respectively. The composites synthesized with ∼1 μm and ∼38 μm C particles consist of TiC, Cu and γ-Fe phases, while the one synthesized with ∼150 μm C particle mainly consists of TiC, Cu, γ-Fe and Fe2Ti phases. With the increase in the C particle size, the interface bonding between the reinforced region and matrix becomes poor, as well as the number of pores and blowholes in the locally reinforced region increases. The hardness and wear resistance of the composites are significantly higher than those of the matrix. With the decrease of the size of C particle, the hardness and wear resistance of the composites increase.