Abstract
Steel matrix composites reinforced with (W,Ti)C particles were processed by directaddition of an innovative powder to molten 0.4 wt-%Clow alloy steel.Thispowder was producedusing a self-propagatinghightemperature synthesis(SHS) reaction and consisted of a dispersion of fine (W,Ti)C particles (5-10 μm) in an iron binder. Dry unidirectional sliding wear behaviour ofthe compositematerialanditsunreinforced counterpartwas investigated atroomtemperature against a white cast iron counterface. In situ monitoring of wear and friction, in conjunction with electron microscopy, has been used tointerpretwearscar microstructures observed intermsofwear mechanisms. Wear experimentswere performedat a sliding speed of 1.5 m s-1 at different test loads. It was found that the wear resistance of the composite material was superior to that of their unreinforced counterparts over the entire range of loading employed during this investigation. The unreinforced base alloy exhibited a transition from mild to severe wear at a load of approximately 70 N. No such transition was found to occur for the composite materials. Instead, after a transient period of running in wear, steady state conditions were observed. At the highest level of carbide addition this transient period did not occur and the composite wore in a regime of mild wear over the full spectrum of loading utilised.
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