A nanoscale dispersion of TiC in cast carbon steel through a reaction in melt

A homogeneous and nanoscale dispersion of TiC in a low carbon steel (SA106, Grade B) matrix was obtained using a conventional vacuum casting technique with the addition of small Ti (∼0.05 wt%). Thermodynamically stable TiC nanoparticles (fcc, a = 4.317 Å) were uniformly precipitated as a result of a simple in-situ chemical reaction (Fe–Ti + C → TiC + Fe) in melt. About 99% of the TiC precipitates were less than 20 nm in size. Their mean diameter and number density were 8.63 nm and 4.8 × 1017 m−3, respectively.

► Homogeneous and nanoscale dispersion of TiC in a carbon steel matrix was obtained via the casting. ► The TiC were dispersed by the nanoscale precipitation due to a simple chemical reaction of Ti with C in a melt. ► The greater part of the TiC precipitates of about 99% was less than 20 nm in size.