<i>In Situ</i> Produced MMC Layer by Laser Melt Injection

Abstract

Tungsten (W) based alloy composite layer reinforced with TiC particles has been successfully prepared on unalloyed steel sample by LMI technology. In order to obtain in situ produced TiC reinforcement, pure titanium has been introduced to the melt pool. WC powder was added for increasing the carbon content of the layer in order to avoid the softening of the matrix (with low carbon content) during TiC formation. The present study aims to investigate the optimum amount of injected WC and Ti powder to improve wear resistance and hardness of the layer. Samples were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The maximum hardness of the layer has been reached ~900HV in case of 2-4wt% of titanium content. Ti has been collected all of the carbon from the matrix when titanium content was 9,6wt%, which resulted that the austenite and (Fe,W)6C phases have been disappeared. Only α-Fe and TiC phases were presented in the layer. The hardness of the layer reduced to the hardness of the base material.