FORMATION MECHANISM OF TITANIUM CARBIDE CRYSTAL IN LASER SYNTHESIZED METAL-CERAMIC COMPOSITE COATING

Abstract

In situ titanium carbide reinforced iron-based composite coating was deposited on mild carbon steel using laser surface engineering (LSE) with ferrotitanium and graphite as precursor. The microstructure and phase constituents of the deposited coating were characterized. Formation mechanism of titanium carbide crystal in the composite coating was elucidated by correlating the morphology of titanium carbide and the thermal cycle experienced by the precursor during the laser treatment. It was demonstrated that titanium carbide was formed in situ as a result of the metallurgical reaction between ferrotitanium and graphite following a liquid-precipitation route. Different morphologies of titanium carbide crystal (dendrite and fishbone) correspond to the primary and eutectic titanium carbide respectively.