Study of steel matrix composite samples with 12%Wt TiB2 produced by spark plasma sintering

• Published in: Materials chemistry and physics Vol. 302; p. 127736
• Main Authors: de Miranda Salustre, Mariane Gonçalves, Gonoring, Tiago Bristt, Martins, João Batista Ribeiro, Lopes, Haimon Diniz Alves, Orlando, Marcos Tadeu D'Azeredo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.07.2023
• ISSN: 0254-0584; 1879-3312
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2023.127736

Composites consisting of a steel matrix reinforced with diluted ceramics have been investigated as a way to reduce weight and increase wear resistance. This paper describes a composite made with TiB2 ceramic powder and a microalloyed steel turned into powder by the top-down technique. The dispersion method of 12% weight percentage of TiB2 particles in the steel powder was performed by cryomilling techniques. With this powder, bulk TiB2 steel/ceramic samples were produced using the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) process. The produced steel matrix composite samples with 12%wt TiB2 were characterized and showed a low level of porosity. The multiphysics fields associated with the SPS process activated the recovery mechanisms that formed a nanostructure in the ferritic matrix. The dispersion of TiB2 particles in microalloyed caused a reduction in abrasive wear of 36.8% as compared with low alloy steel used. This reduction was accompanied by a 5% reduction in density. •Steel matrix composite reforced with 12%Wt of TiB2 ceramic dispersed.•Initial microalloyed steel powder produced by top-down mechanical grinding.•Particles (TiB2) dispersion in the microalloyed steel powder by cryomilling.•Bulk TiB2 steel/ceramic samples were produced by spark plasma sintering process.•Reduction in abrasive wear of 36.8% of bulk compared to the microalloyed steel used.