Enhancing high-temperature properties of stainless steel composite with titanium carbide reinforcement: a study on coefficient of thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, and strength

Abstract

The high-temperature properties of titanium carbide (TiC)–reinforced stainless steel (SS) matrix composite, fabricated through infiltration process, were investigated across different temperatures. By adding highly concentrated and closely adjacent TiC particulate reinforcement, dramatic variations in the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and thermal conductivity properties, which originate from the phase transformation of the SS matrix, were effectively suppressed. Moreover, the addition of TiC significantly strengthened the SS, with its strengthening effect increasing at higher temperatures and reaching its highest value after the phase transformation. Therefore, TiC–SS composite exhibit great potential for use as advanced high-temperature-resistant structural materials.

Keywords

• Phase transformation
• Steel
• Metal matrix composite
• Ceramic reinforcement
• High temperature