The Structure and Wear Resistance of the Surface Layers Obtained by the Atmospheric Electron Beam Cladding of TiC on Titanium Substrates

In this study the structure and properties of surface layers obtained on cp-titanium workpieces by non-vacuum electron beam cladding of titanium carbide powder were investigated. The structure of modified materials was examined by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. It was shown that the cladded layer had a high quality and thickness of about 2.3 mm. The cladded layer microstructure consisted of high-strength titanium carbide crystals distributed in titanium matrix. Morphology of titanium carbide particles and their volume fraction changed in the direction from the surface layer to the heat affected zone. The average microhardness value of the cladded layer was ~500 HV. Surface alloyed layers were of higher wear resistance compared to cp-titanium.