Characterization of in situ synthesized TiB2 reinforcements in iron-based composite coating

► Acicular shaped and blocky formed TiB2 phases could be synthesized in situ in iron-based composite coating. ► Gradient distributed TiB2 phases appeared in both the vertical and horizontal direction of the coating's cross-section. ► With the increase of coating dilution, TiB2 at the edge of the coating tends to be acicular or clubbed shaped.