Effects of TiC formation on the microstructure and hardness of wear-resistant steel

In this study, as-cast low alloy wear-resistant steels with Ti contents of 0.6 and 3.0 wt-% were prepared at different solidification cooling rates, and the effects of TiC formation on their microstructures, hardness values, and wear resistances were investigated. The obtained phase diagrams and experimental data revealed that the TiC phase was formed via a divorced eutectic reaction in a residual liquid phase during solidification. The larger Ti content promoted the formation of TiC particles, while the solidification cooling rate represented the main influencing factor. Moreover, the produced TiC phase increased the wear resistance of the studied steel and decreased the matrix hardness, suggesting a new method for enhancing its mechanical properties through the formation of a hard ceramic phase.