Microstructures and mechanical properties of Fe-28Al-5Cr/TiC composites produced by hot-pressing sintering

The mechanical properties and microstructures of Fe-28Al-5Cr based composites reinforced with 15, 25, 35, 50 wt.% TIC ceramic particle, produced by hot-pressing sintering method, were investigated. The relative density of all the composites was up to 99%. The distribution of TIC was uniform in the composites. Results of XRD analysis showed that the composites were composed of TiC and disorder Fe3Al phases. All the materials exhibited very high strength of 1200-2000 MPa. The hardness and compressive strength of the composites increased obviously but compressive strain decreased gradually except 50% composite with increasing TiC content. The bending strength and deflection of the composites decreased significantly with increasing TIC content. The bending fracture surfaces of all the materials were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The fracture mode transformed gradually from tough dimple fracture mode to brittle cleavage facets crack mode with the increase of TIC content. Wear resistance of the Fe-28Al-5Cr alloy was also significantly improved by addition of TiC. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.