Microstructure of TiC/Fe composite coatings prepared by reactive flame spraying

TiC/Fe composite coatings were successfully obtained by reactive flame spraying (RFS) with ilmenite, graphite and ferrous powder as rough materials. The microstructure of the composite coatings and the relations among their wear properties, phases and microstructure were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transaction electron microscopy. The results show that the composite coatings mainly consist of TiC and Fe phases and were composed of alternate soft and hard layers with different TiC contents. In the TiC-rich layers, lots of submicron (< 0.5 μm) and approximately round TiC particles are dis-persed in the iron matrix. This multiphase and multilayer coatings will be helpful to improve the wear resistance of cermet composite coatings.