Effect of Tungsten Carbide Addition on the Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior of Titanium Matrix Developed by Powder Metallurgy Route

Abstract

The ambition of this research work is to evaluate the hardness and wear behavior of titanium alloy reinforced with tungsten carbide particle (WC) composite prepared by powder metallurgy route. Titanium alloy with 5 and 10 wt% tungsten carbide reinforced particle (WC) composites was manufactured through powder metallurgy technique. The hardness and wear properties of the composite are measured in hardness and wear tests. The microstructures of the composite are evaluated by utilized optical microscopy. The fabricated titanium composites exhibit improved hardness and wear resistance. The hardness and wear specimens were prepared and tested by used Vickers hardness tester and a pin-on-disk wear test apparatus machine at room temperature. The hardness, wear rate, and CoF of TMCs are 476.79 VHN, 13.158 mg/m (×10−3), and 0.955420243, respectively. The results elucidated the microstructure, hardness, wear rate, coefficient of friction, and SEM images of wear for the effects of added reinforcement tungsten carbide.