Thermophysical properties of Ni–20Cr metal matrix reinforced with TiC ceramic particles

The present investigation focuses on the characterization of the thermal properties of a Ni–20Cr metal matrix composite manufactured by infiltration without pressure with 60 vol% TiC reinforcement. The composite obtained shows a homogeneous distribution of the reinforcement phase and has a density of 5.99 g/cm 3 . Mechanically, the addition of the ceramics induces an increase in the elastic modulus of the matrix alloy from 202.7 to 318 GPa, while the hardness increases by 450%. The CTE of the composite in the range 500–800 °C is 10.82 × 10–6 °C −1 , which represents 62% of the expansion of the unreinforced alloy. The thermal conductivity increases linearly to a maximum of 30.3 W/m K for the composite at 800 °C. Cyclic dilatometry tests show a hysteresis phenomenon with retention of 0.0028% of residual plastic deformation in both the alloy and the composite. Graphic abstract