Member having improved surface layer and process for making the same

A process for making a metallic member having surface wear resistance by casting, which comprises placing ceramic particles (such as SiC particles) with or without an admixture of metallic powder (such as iron-based particles, e.g. stainless steel particles) in a predetermined position internally of the casting mould and pouring molten metal (e.g. molten iron-base metal, particularly molten cast iron) thereinto, thereby forming a wear-resistant layer at a desired position on the surface of the casting. The metal and ceramic particles form intermediate material (14 or 14a) around the ceramic particles (13). In the case where metallic powder had been compacted with ceramic particles, the intermediate material (14, Fig. 2) results from reaction of the ceramic and molten metal from the powder, and the cast metal (15) forms a base body. In the case where ceramic particles alone had been compacted, the intermediate material (14a, Fig. 3) results from reaction of the molten metal cast (14b) with the ceramic. ……