In situ production of vanadium carbide particulates reinforced iron matrix surface composite by cast-sintering

Using a new cast-sintering technique, an iron-base surface composite reinforced by vanadium carbide (VC) particles which were produced in situ and consisting of chromium carbides was sintered on the surface of a cast steel during casting. The structure and the composition of the surface composite were studied with the help of a SEM, an electron probe and XRD. From the outside in of the surface composite, the concentration of V was relatively stable and consistently retained a high level, while the concentration of Cr and Ni took on a gradient distribution and decreased gradually. The fine particles of VC measuring between 1 mu m and 3 mu m in diameter were uniformly dispersed in a martensite matrix, and there was a perfect metallurgy-bond between the surface composite layer and the master-alloy. Under the condition of dry slipping with a heavy load, the VC-Fe surface composite offers virtually a unique wear-resistance. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.