The aim of the present study was to fabricate Fe–TiC–Al2O3 composites on the surface of medium carbon steel. For this purpose, TiO2–3C and 3TiO2–4Al–3C–xFe (0 ≤ x ≤ 4.6 by mole) mixtures were pre-placed on the surface of a medium carbon steel plate. The mixtures and substrate were then melted using a gas tungsten arc cladding process. The results show that the martensite forms in the layer produced by the TiO2–3C mixture. However, ferrite–Fe3C–TiC phases are the main phases in the microstructure of the clad layer produced by the 3TiO2–4Al–3C mixture. The addition of Fe to the TiO2–4Al–3C reactants with the content from 0 to 20wt% increases the volume fraction of particles, and a composite containing approximately 9vol% TiC and Al2O3 particles forms. This composite substantially improves the substrate hardness. The mechanism by which Fe particles enhance the TiC + Al2O3 volume fraction in the composite is determined.

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