Synthesis and characterization of TiB2-reinforced iron-based composites

The TiB2-reinforced iron matrix composite (Fe-TiB2) was synthesized by a simple, cost-effective process involving aluminothermic reduction of blue dust (mainly Fe2O3), titanium dioxide (TiO2) and boron trioxide (B2O3) powder. Aluminothermic reduction of these oxides, being highly exothermic in nature, essentially leads to a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) of TiB2-reinforced Fe-based composite. The composite has been subsequently characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), image analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and hardness measurement. It has been found that along with TiB2, Fe2B also forms during the synthesis of composite. Composite, synthesized by this process, possesses high hardness and high temperature stability. The abrasive wear resistance of the composite has been compared with that of a standard wear resistant material, i.e., high-chromium white cast iron, and found to be better than that of the standard material.