Phase transformation induced high-strength titanium carbide reinforced stainless steel composites with stable thermo-mechanical properties for high temperature applications

The high-temperature properties such as the tensile strength, hardness, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and thermal conductivity of titanium carbide (TiC)-reinforced stainless steel (SS) matrix composites fabricated by the infiltration process were investigated at various temperatures. Highly concentrated, closely adjacent TiC particulate reinforcement effectively suppressed dramatic variations in the CTE and thermal conductivity properties originating from the phase transformation of the SS431 matrix with superior mechanical properties. The strengthening effect of the addition of TiC increased as the temperature increased and showed a higher value after the phase transformation. The TiC–SS431 composite showed great applicability for advanced high-temperature-resistant structural materials.