Microstructure and properties of hot isostatic pressed/laser remelted Fe3Al/Cr3C2 composites

The effects of Cr3C2 content on the microstructure, hardness and wear resistance of Fe3Al/Cr3C2 composites by hot isostatic pressing and laser remelting were studied. The results showed that, the carbides in the hot isostatic pressed (HIPed) Fe3Al/Cr3C2 composites are in large block or irregular shape, while the in situ formed carbides in the laser remelted (LRed) Fe3Al/Cr3C2 composites are small and dispersed. With the increase of Cr3C2 content, the microhardness of HIPed and LRed Fe3Al/Cr3C2 composites gradually increased, and the microhardness of LRed Fe3Al/Cr3C2 composites is higher than that of HIPed ones. With the increase of Cr3C2 content, the wear resistance of HIPed Fe3Al/Cr3C2 composites increased gradually, while the wear resistance of LRed Fe3Al/Cr3C2 composites first increases and then decreases, and the best wear resistance is obtained when the volume fraction of Cr3C2 is 18%.