The effect of volume fraction of WC particles on erosion resistance of WC reinforced iron matrix surface composites

This paper fabricated tungsten carbide (WC) particles reinforced iron matrix surface composites on gray cast iron substrate using the vacuum infiltration casting technique, investigated the relationship between the erosion resistance and the volume fraction of WC particles, comparing with a high chromium cast iron. The composites were fabricated through iron melt penetrating into thin performs, which consist of WC particles, chromium–iron (Cr–Fe) alloy particles and a small amount of bind, and were paved in advance on some surfaces of a casting mould, with the assistance of wetting of WC particle by the iron melt and sucking of a vacuum degree. The fabricated composites contained WC particles of 10, 15, 19, 27, 36, 45, and 52 vol.%, respectively. In the erosion tests, the erosion velocity was chosen as 9.1 ms−1, the erosion angle as 70° and the test period for each test as 20 h. The results showed that, with increase in volume fraction of WC particles, the wear rates of the composites first decreased until reached the minimum, then increased, and were as a whole 1.38–2.93 times lower than that of the high chromium cast iron. The changes of the wear rates of the composites with the volume fraction of WC particles, and the comparison of the wear performances between the composites and the comparative material were analyzed.