Preparation of TiC reinforced CrMo steel by 3D gel-printing

ABSTRACT

TiC-reinforced CrMo steel was successfully fabricated by 3D gel-printing in this study. The rheological behaviour and polymerisation of slurries with different TiC content were researched. The appropriate parameters of 3D gel-printing process were found. The microstructure and phase identification of sintered samples were characterised by using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The relative density, bending strength and hardness of sintered bulk samples were separately measured. The results indicate that the relative density, bending strength and hardness value reach 99.8%, 2039 MPa and 51.3 HRC when TiC content is 30 wt.% in the sintered bulk samples. After oil quenching, the bending strength reaches an astonishing value 2386 MPa, and hardness is 56.1 HRC. Compared with conventional powder metallurgy methods, the mechanical properties of TiC–CrMo steel composite prepared by 3DGP are similar or even better.

KEYWORDS:

• CrMo steel
• TiC
• slurry
• 3D gel-printing
• mechanical properties

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by Heyuan Science and Technology Project (grant number HEKE000781), Science and Technology Project of Guangdong Province(grant number 2016B090914001) and Jihua Laboratory Project (grant number X190061UZ190).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tao Lin

Tao Lin, associate professor, works in University of Science and Technology Beijing and focuses on 3D printing of metal materials and metal matrix composites.

Qianghua Li

Qianghua Li, a master in University of Science and Technology Beijing, studies on 3D printing of metal matrix composites.

Ke Song

Ke Song, a master in University of Science and Technology Beijing, is mainly devoted to research of 3D printing of titanium and titanium alloy.

Huiping Shao

Huiping Shao, As a professor at Institute for Advanced Materials and Technology in University of Science and Technology Beijing, Dr. Shao is mainly devoted to the research of 3D printing of biomedical materials, magnetic materials and magnetic materials for targeting biology.

Jiayun Yuan

Jiayun Yuan, a master in University of Science and Technology Beijing, is engaged in research of 3D printing of cemented carbide.

Xin Deng

Dr. Xin Deng is currently a distinguished professor at School of Electromechanical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology. With more than 17 years' research and development experience of both the academia and the industry, Professor Deng has developed expertise in a wide range of materials including metal matrix composite, cemented carbides, polycrystalline diamond and wear resistant coatings. His research interests also include fracture-mechanical behavior and finite element simulation of powder metallurgy, 3-D printing of cemented carbide and metal matrix composite, and other advanced material processing technologies.