Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of In Situ WC-Fe/Fe Composites

  • Published:
Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, Fe matrix reinforced with column-shaped WC-Fe composite was designed and fabricated by a novel in situ method. The WC-Fe/Fe composite exhibited a similar structure to that of reinforced concrete. The microstructure, microhardness, impact toughness, and wear resistance of the composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction, as well as microhardness, impact, and wear tests. Small amounts of graphite (G), α-Fe, and WC were the predominant phases in the reinforcing bar of the composites. WC particulates improved the wear resistance of the composite, and the highest wear resistance was 96 times higher than that of gray cast iron under a load of 20 N with SiC abrasive particles. The wear resistance mechanism involved protection of the matrix behind the WC bundles by hard carbides. The excellent fracture toughness of the composite was mainly attributed to the disappearance of G flakes from the Fe matrix because of the in situ reaction, which reduced the split action to the matrix. The matrix absorbed a large amount of the crack propagation energy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J. Liu, J. Li, and C. Xu, Interaction of the Cutting Tools and the Ceramic-Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites During Micro-Machining: A Review, CIRP J. Manuf. Sci. Technol., 2014, 7, p 55–70

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. L. Zhong, M. Hojamberdiev, F. Ye, H. Wu, and Y. Xu, Fabrication and Microstructure of In Situ Vanadium Carbide Ceramic Particulates-Reinforced Iron Matrix Composites, Ceram. Int., 2013, 39, p 731–736

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. F. Velasco, R. Isabel, N. Antón, M.A. Martínez, and J.M. Torralba, High Speed Steel Composites: Sinterability and Properties, Compos. A, 2002, 33(6), p 819–827

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. S.K. Mishra, S. Biswas, and A. Satapathy, A Study on Processing, Characterization and Erosion Wear Behavior of Silicon Carbide Particle Filled ZA-27 Metal Matrix Composites, Mater. Des., 2014, 55, p 958–965

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. A. Hauert, A. Rossoll, and A. Mortensen, Young’s Modulus of Ceramic Particle Reinforced Aluminium: Measurement by the Impulse Excitation Technique and Confrontation with Analytical Models, Compos. A, 2009, 40(4), p 524–529

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. H.O. Pierson, Handbook of Refractory Carbides and nitrides: Properties, Characteristics, Processing and Applications, Noyes, Park Ridge, 1996

    Google Scholar 

  7. Z. Li, Y. Jiang, R. Zhou, F. Gao, Q. Shan, and J. Tan, Thermal Fatigue Mechanism of WC Particles Reinforced Steel Substrate Surface Composite at Different Thermal Shock Temperatures, J. Alloys Compd., 2014, 596, p 48–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. A. Liu, M. Guo, M. Zhao, and C. Wang, Microstructures and Wear Resistance of Large WC Particles Reinforced Surface Metal Matrix Composites Produced by Plasma Melt Injection, Surf. Coat. Technol., 2007, 201, p 7978–7982

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. M. Zhao, A. Liu, M. Guo, D. Liu, Z. Wang, and C. Wang, WC Reinforced Surface Metal Matrix Composite Produced by Plasma Melt Injection, Surf. Coat. Technol., 2006, 201, p 1655–1659

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Z. Li, Y. Jiang, R. Zhou, D. Lu, and R. Zhou, Dry Three-Body Abrasive Wear Behavior of WC Reinforced Iron Matrix Surface Composites Produced by V-EPC Infiltration Casting Process, Wear, 2007, 262, p 649–654

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. J. Ji and J. Tang, Wear-Corrosion Behavior of Cast-In Composite Materials Reinforced by WC Particles, Wear, 1990, 138, p 23–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. K. Kambakas and P. Tsakiropoulos, Solidification of High-Cr White Cast Iron–WC Particle Reinforced Composites, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2005, 413–414, p 538–544

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. S. Zhou, X. Dai, and H. Zheng, Microstructure and Wear Resistance of Fe-based WC Coating by Multi-track Overlapping Laser Induction Hybrid Rapid Cladding, Opt. Laser Technol., 2012, 44, p 190–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Z. Li, Y. Jiang, R. Zhou, Z. Chen, Q. Shan, and J. Tan, Effect of Cr Addition on the Microstructure and Abrasive Wear Resistance of WC-reinforced Iron Matrix Surface Composites, J. Mater. Res., 2014, 29, p 778–785

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Z. Li, Y. Jiang, R. Zhou, D. Lu, and R.F. Zhou, Dry Three-Body Abrasive Wear Behavior of WC Reinforced Iron Matrix Surface Composites Produced by V-EPC Infiltration Casting Process, Wear, 2007, 262, p 649–654

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. A. Liu, M. Guo, M. Zhao, and C. Wang, Microstructures and Wear Resistance of Large WC Particles Reinforced Surface Metal Matrix Composites Produced by Plasma Melt Injection, Surf. Coat. Technol., 2007, 201, p 7978–7982

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. O.N. Çelik, Microstructure and Wear Properties of WC Particle Reinforced Composite Coating on Ti6Al4V Alloy Produced by the Plasma Transferred arc Method, Appl. Surf. Sci., 2013, 274, p 334–340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Z. Chen, T. Zhou, P. Zhang, H. Zhang, W. Yang, H. Zhou, and L. Ren, Influences of Single Laser Tracks’ Space on the Rolling Fatigue Contact of Gray Cast Iron, Opt. Laser Technol., 2015, 72, p 15–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. M.T. Laugier, New Formula for Indentation Toughness in Ceramics, J. Mater. Sci. Lett., 1987, 6, p 355–356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. K. Aigner, W. Lengauer, and P. Ettmayer, Interactions in Iron-Based Cermet Systems, J. Alloys Compd., 1997, 262–263, p 486–491

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. L. Niu, M. Hojamberdiev, and Y. Xu, Preparation of In Situ-Formed WC/Fe Composite on Gray Cast Iron Substrate by a Centrifugal Casting Process, J. Mater. Process. Technol., 2010, 210, p 1986–1990

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. L. Niu, Y. Xu, and X. Wang, Fabrication of WC/Fe Composite Coating by Centrifugal Casting Plus In Situ Synthesis Techniques, Surf. Coat. Technol., 2010, 205, p 551–556

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. B. Briscoe, Wear of Polymers: An Essay on Fundamental Aspects, Tribol. Int., 1981, 14(4), p 231–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. E. Rabinowicz, Friction and Wear of Materials, Wiley, New York, 1965

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The project was supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (No. 2013AA031803) and the International S & T Cooperation Program of China (No. 2014DFR50630). The authors also acknowledge the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation (No. 51374169), the Doctoral Scientific Research Foundation of Xi’an University of Technology (No. 101-451115013), and the Project of the Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Nano Materials and Technology (14JS046, 14JS048 and 13JS054).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science & Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, 5 Jinhua Road, Xi’an, 710048, China

    Lisheng Zhong, Yinglin Yan, Xiaolong Cai, Xi Zhang & Yunhua Xu

  2. Institute of Strength Physics and Materials Science, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, 634021, Russia

    Vladimir E. Ovcharenko

Authors
  1. Lisheng Zhong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yinglin Yan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Vladimir E. Ovcharenko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xiaolong Cai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Xi Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Yunhua Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lisheng Zhong.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhong, L., Yan, Y., Ovcharenko, V.E. et al. Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of In Situ WC-Fe/Fe Composites. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 24, 4561–4568 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-015-1742-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-015-1742-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation