Abstract
An assessment has been made of the viability of producing Fe–Ti(O,C) metal matrix composites by the one step carbo thermic reduction of iron-ilmenite and iron-rutile mixtures with coal. Pelletised mixtures of iron, rutile or ilmenite, and collie coal were heated in a tube furnace to temperatures between 1300 and 1600°C under flowing argon. The microstructures of reacted pellets were examined using optical and scanning electron microscopy and the phases present were characterised by X-ray diffraction. Excellent dispersions of the Ti(O,C) phase in the iron matrix were obtained at temperatures above 1450°C. The addition of fluxes of group II halides or BaSo4 to the reduction mixture promoted separation of the Ti(O,C) productfrom the iron. Preliminary experiments on the scale-up of the reduction procedures are reported.
MST/1361
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