Improving wear resistance of metal matrix composites using reinforcing particles in two length-scales: Fe3Al/TiC composites

Iron aluminide coatings, reinforced with 50 vol% TiC, were prepared using the High-Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) process. The reinforcing particles, TiC, were used in two length-scales; fine in-situ particles and coarse ex-situ particles. High-energy ball milling was used to homogenize the spatial distributions of the two types of TiC particles within the Fe3Al matrix powder. The effect of the volume fractions of in-situ and ex-situ TiC particles on the wear behavior of Fe3Al-TiC coatings was characterized. Wear rate of the coatings was measured in dry-sliding conditions using an alumina counter body. The worn surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). Results showed that by using two length-scale reinforcing particles, the wear resistance of the coating over single length-scale reinforcement.