Microstructure of Fe–TiC surface composite produced by cast-sintering

Fe–TiC surface composite was prepared in situ on a surface of cast steel by means of cast-sintering technique. The microstructure of this material was investigated by means of SEM, electron probe and XRD. Results show that the TiC and (Fe,Cr)7C3 carbides in an iron matrix were achieved on the surface of cast steel during cast-sintering. From the top surface of sample to that of the master-steel, the concentration of Ti, Cr and Ni as well as the quantity of both TiC and (Fe,Cr)7C3 carbides decreased gradually, and the morphology of (Fe,Cr)7C3 transforms from strip-chunky into make-and-break reticulation. There was an excellent metallurgy-bond between the surface composite layer and the master-steel.