Interface structure and wear behavior of Cr26 ferrous matrix surface composites reinforced with CTC_P

Using cast tungsten carbide particles (CTC_P) and reduced iron powders as raw materials, the porous ceramic preforms with honeycomb, strip, and layer structure, respectively, were prepared by loose sintering process; then, the CTC_P/Cr26 ferrous matrix composites were fabricated by casting infiltration process. The microstructure of the composites was analyzed by SEM, XRD, and EDS. The results show that a sintered shell forms as a result of the reaction of Fe and W₂C in the CTC_P during loose sintering process; the inner part of the shell around the CTC_p consists of WC and Fe₃W₃C phases, while the outer part between the particles is dominated by Fe₃W₃C. Therefore, the strength of preforms is enhanced because the particles are connected with each other by sintered shell. During casting infiltration process, a transition layer constituted by WC and Fe₃W₃C formed at the interface of CTC_p and the matrix due to the dissolution and precipitation of the sintered shell in the high-temperature liquid iron. The three-body abrasive wear behavior of the composites was investigated. The result shows the wear resistance of honeycomb structure composite is comparable to that of whole layer (WL) structure composite, which is three times of heat-treated Cr26. However, the honeycomb structure composite has higher performance/cost ratio owing to the lower CTC_p volume fraction and higher strength and toughness compared with the WL structure composite.