The mechanism of thermal explosion (TE) synthesis of TiC-TiB2 particulate locally reinforced steel matrix composites from an Al-Ti-B4C system via a TE-casting route

► We successfully fabricated TiC-TiB2 locally reinforced steel matrix composites. ► We investigated the product microstructure and formation mechanism of TiC and TiB2. ► The formation mechanism during casting is dependent on B4C particle size. ► Fe melt promotes the full dissociation of remnant B4C particles during casting. ► The relationship between the mechanisms in the ERF and during casting was proposed.