Fabrication of Fe–TiC–Al2O3 composites on the surface of steel using a TiO2–Al–C–Fe combustion reaction induced by gas tungsten arc cladding

The aim of the present study was to fabricate Fe–TiC–Al 2 O 3 composites on the surface of medium carbon steel. For this purpose, TiO 2 –3C and 3TiO 2 –4Al–3C– x Fe (0 ≤ x ≤ 4.6 by mole) mixtures were pre-placed on the surface of a medium carbon steel plate. The mixtures and substrate were then melted using a gas tungsten arc cladding process. The results show that the martensite forms in the layer produced by the TiO 2 –3C mixture. However, ferrite–Fe 3 C–TiC phases are the main phases in the microstructure of the clad layer produced by the 3TiO 2 –4Al–3C mixture. The addition of Fe to the TiO 2 –4Al–3C reactants with the content from 0 to 20wt% increases the volume fraction of particles, and a composite containing approximately 9vol% TiC and Al 2 O 3 particles forms. This composite substantially improves the substrate hardness. The mechanism by which Fe particles enhance the TiC + Al 2 O 3 volume fraction in the composite is determined.