Microstructure and wear resistance of laser melted W/W₂Ni₃Si metal silicides matrix in situ composites

W/W₂Ni₃Si in situ composites consisting of primary tungsten dendrites and the interdendritic W₂Ni₃Si ternary metal silicide were fabricated by using laser melting furnace. The material possessed unique microstructural characteristic which combined the high strength and ductility of the W reinforcing phase with the high hardness and strong intermetallic atomic bonds of the ternary metal silicide. It was found that the composites exhibited excellent abrasive and adhesion wear resistance under both room and high-temperature sliding wear test conditions.