Microstructure mechanical and tribological behaviour of titanium diboride reinforced steel matrix composites

Abstract

Steel Matrix Composites (SMCs) reinforced with TiB2 particles are of much interest owing to newlinetheir excellent improved properties. Despite several advantages of steel/TiB2 composites, the newlinefabrication of these composites remains a big challenge. Although, researchers have already newlinedeveloped different manufacturing technologies for SMCs, the processing of SMCs with all newlinedesirable properties at an economical price remains a daunting task. Conventional methods are newlineassociated with many complications such as inhomogeneous microstructure, interfacial newlinemicrocracks, gas entrapment, agglomeration of reinforcements, difficulty to produce complex newlineshaped components and so on. Henceforth, challenges remain there in development of these newlinecomposites with desired properties by a technically feasible and cost effective method. newlineTherefore, the aim of this research is to explore the feasibility of production of TiB2 reinforced newlinesteel matrix composite by hot pressing method using fine reinforcement particles at newlinecomparatively low temperature and pressure.In the present investigation, steel matrix composites reinforced with 2-4 vol.% TiB2 newlineparticles were fabricated successfully by powder metallurgy method via hot pressing route. newlineDensification behaviour of the hot pressed composites was investigated by taking into newlineconsideration the influence of process parameters and volume content of reinforcement. newlineDetailed microstructural analysis of starting powders, mixed powders and sintered compacts newlinewere performed. The influence of TiB2 and hot pressing parameters on mechanical properties newlinesuch as hardness, compressive strength, impression creep properties of hot pressed composites newlinewere investigated. Influence of wear testing parameters and reinforcement content on sliding newlinewear behaviour of the fabricated composites were also studied. A stastical approach has also newlinebeen followed to determine the influence of various parameters in order to achieve enhanced newlinewear performance.