Investigation of the effect of tantalum carbide (TaC) reinforcement on the material properties of lamellar graphite cast iron

In this study, lamellar graphitic cast iron materials were produced with Tantalum Carbide (TaC) reinforcement at different ratios (0%, 0.025%, 0.155% and 0.285% by weight). Hardness test specimens, compression test specimens and wear test specimens were prepared from these produced cast materials. Hardness measurement tests, compression tests and wear tests were applied to these samples prepared to determine the mechanical properties. According to the hardness measurement results, the highest value of 231 HB was determined in the test specimen with 0.025% TaC reinforcement ratio. In compression tests, the highest stress value of 949 MPa was observed in the 0.285% TaC reinforced sample. With the wear tests, changes in wear volume, wear rate and friction coefficients were determined. In addition, the worn surfaces of the samples were examined by SEM device and the wear mechanisms were determined.