Effect of Reaction between Fe and Carbide Particles on Mechanical Properties of Fe-Base Composite

Sintered Fe-5 wt. % carbide (SiC or TiC) composites have been prepared via a powder metallurgy (P/M) route. Two carbide particle sizes, < 20 mu m and 20-32 mu m, were mixed with Fe powder. The powder mixtures were compacted and sintered at 3 different temperatures, 1100, 1150 and 1200 degrees C. Microstructures of sintered Fe-5 wt. % SiC composites showed evidence of SiC decomposition. The decomposed Si and C atoms diffused into Fe particles resulting in formation of solid solution of Si and C in Fe during sintering. During cooling, the solid solution of C in Fe decomposed to pearlite structure (ferrite and cementite (Fe3C) lamellar structure). Microstructures of sintered Fe-5 wt. % TiC composites showed no evidence of TiC decomposition at the investigated sintering temperatures. Because of the reaction between SiC and Fe, tensile strength and hardness of the sintered Fe-SiC composites were higher than those of the sintered Fe. Experimental results showed that strength and hardness of the sintered Fe-SiC composites increased with increasing sintering temperature and with decreasing SiC particle size. In contrast, mechanical properties of the sintered Fe-TiC composites were inferior to those of the sintered Fe. The reason of poor mechanical properties may be attributed to poor bonding between Fe and TiC particles.