Microstructure and abrasive wear characteristics of in situ vanadium carbide particulate-reinforced iron matrix composites

In this work, in situ synthesis with infiltration casting and subsequent heat treatment was applied to fabricate vanadium carbide (V₈C₇) particulate-reinforced iron matrix composites. The microstructure and wear-resistance of V₈C₇ particulate-reinforced iron matrix composites with different volume fraction were studied using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and wear testing. The V₈C₇ particles were uniformly distributed in the matrix, and the size of the V₈C₇ reinforcement was 2-12μm. The relative wear resistance of the composites initially increases decreases with higher V₈C₇ volume fractions. The best wear resistance of the composites was 21.2 times higher than that of gray cast iron under a 20N load. This was achieved at 24% V₈C₇ volume fraction. Wear of the composites manifests as grooves, broken carbide particles, and re-embedment of wear debris.