Study on in-situ WC particles/tungsten wire reinforced iron matrix composites under electromagnetic field

By applying electromagnetic field to a system consisting of tungsten wires and grey cast iron melt,the grey cast iron matrix composite reinforced by either in-situ WC particles or the combination ofin-situ WC particles and the residual tungsten wire was obtained.By means of differential thermal analysis(DTA),the pouring temperature ofiron melt was determined at 1,573 K.The microstructures of the composites were analyzed by using of X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive spectrum(EDS) and pin-on-disc abrasive wear test.The obtained results indicated that,with the enhancing frequency of electromagnetic field,the amount ofin-situ WC particles gradually increases,leading to continuous decrease of the residual tungsten wires.When the electromagnetic field frequency was up to 4 kHz,tungsten wires reacted completely with carbon atoms in grey cast iron melt,forming WC particals.The electromagnetic field appeared to accelerate the elemental diffusion in the melt,to help relatively quick formation of a series of small FeW-C ternary zones and to improve the kinetic condition ofin-situ WC fabrication.As compared with the composite prepared without the electromagnetic field,the composite fabricated at 4 kHz presented good wear resistance.

Effect of Ni Addition on Microstructure of Matrix in Casting Tungsten Carbide Particle Reinforced Composite

Microstructure of the matrix directly influences the performance and the application of metal matrix composites. By using vacuum casting-infiltration method to manufacture casting tungsten carbide particle reinforced composite, the addition of Ni can alter the microstructure of the matrix of composite. High carbon chromium steel was chosen as the substrate. The casting process was achieved at 1580 ℃ with vacuum degree of 0.072-0.078 MPa. Padding of the molten steel in each part of the preform was different, and the solidification of each part of the composite was different, too. Microstructure of the matrix was various in different parts of the composite. The Ni addition had enlarged the austenite zone in matrix, which would improve the corrosion resistance of the composite. The phase identification of the composite was performed by X-ray diffraction technique. The result showed that Fe3W3C was the primary precipitated carbide and its composition had a direct link with the decomposition of the casting tungsten carbide particles. The hardness of the matrix mainly depended on the reinforced carbide, i.e. Fe3W3C.