Synthesis of Fe-TiC composite coating on plain carbon steel surface to hardness increasing by using laser alloying process

In this research synthesis and creating of Fe-TiC coating on plain carbon steel using ilmenite and laser alloying process was investigated. Two composition with the molar ratio of graphite to ilmenite 4:1 and 6:1 was investigated. The sample with molar ratio 6:1, were activated for 100h. Blended powder were mixed with amount of glue and pasted on AISI 1018 surface. Then laser surface alloying was done. The Result showed in un-milled sample ilmenite not reduction to TiC but in activated sample ilmenite reduction to Fe and TiC. The results showed that TiC were formed via in situ reaction between ilmenite and graphite in the molten pool during laser alloying process. The morphologies of TiC were of spherical shape; and the titanium carbides were distributed uniformly in the composite coating. Compared to the substrate, the hardness of the coatings reinforced by TiC particles were significantly enhanced.