Microstructure and wear resistance of in-situ TiC surface composite coating on copper matrix synthesized by SHS and Vacuum-Expendable Pattern Casting

An in-situ TiC surface composite coating was synthesized upon a copper matrix, using Self-Propagating High-temperature Synthesis (SHS) and Vacuum-Expendable Pattern Casting (V-EPC). Ti, C and Cu, as raw powders, were mixed at various ratios and pasted on the surface of an Expandable Polystyrene (EPS) pattern after compacted. They were placed into the silica sands after being brushed fireproof coating and then casting copper under vacuum condition. The in-situ TiC surface composite coating was synthesized with cast-cooper simultaneously when cooled down. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Transmission electron microscope (TEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and Raman spectroscopy are used for investigating the phase constituents and microstructure of coatings and wear property. The hardness of coatings were obtained. The wear behavior of the coating was assessed by using a pin-on-disc tribometer under various loads. Appropriate amount of Cu can enhance the SHS reaction of Ti-C system. The wear resistance of coating with 5 wt% Cu added is relatively better than that of other specimens.