Microstructure and mechanical properties of Fe3Al-TiC composites

TiC particle reinforced Fe3Al composites were produced with varying volume fraction of TiC powders. The effect of the TiC fractions and distribution on the properties of the composites was investigated. The composite containing 30 vol.% TiC had hardness and bending strength values of 86 HRA and 1340 MPa, which were 10% and 57% greater than those of the unreinforced Fe3Al, respectively. Microscopic examination of the composite showed TiC particles with grain size ranging from 50 to 100 nm were homogeneously dispersed in Fe3Al matrix, the larger TiC particles with sub-micrometer size were mainly located at grain boundaries and the smaller ones were within matrix grains.