Synthesis and Characterization of TiCN-Reinforced Ti-Fe-Based Composites by In-Situ Vacuum Hot Pressing Sintering

The TiCN-reinforced Ti-Fe-based composite,an advanced automotive material,was synthesized by in-situ hot pressing sintering in vacuum.The influence of the content of TiCN-powder on the microstructures,phase structures and trobological behavior was investigated with X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy and conventional mechanical probes.The results show that TiCN-content had a major impact.To be specific,as the TiCN-content increased,the hardness of the composite,comprising TiCN-reinforced α-Fe phase,increased,the relative density and mechanical strength changed in an increase-decrease mode,and the porosity and volume wear-rate varied in a decrease-increase manner;a content of 15%(wt.) TiCN resulted in a relative density peak of 97.1%,a porosity valley of 3.32% and a volume wear-rate valley,respectively.A high TiCN-content might considerably deteriorate the tribological properties of the composite material.Possible mechanism(s) was also tentatively discussed in a thought provoking way.