The hardfacing by the application of infiltration was examined by using the skeletons of TiC compacts set on the base metal such as iron or mild steel and the infiltrant of Fe-4.4% C-15%Mo alloy in a vacuum or in a purified hydrogen atmosphere. The infiltration proceeded successfully and the hardfaced layers which tightly adhered to the base metal were obtained.
The microstructures of the hardfaced layers were composed of TiC with surrounding structure, M₃C, and the matrix of Fe, although the thickness of the surrounding structure and the amount of M₃C were changed by infiltrating conditions such as infiltrating temperature or holding time at this temperature.
The hardness and the transverse rupture strength were changed by the ratio of infiltrant to skeleton and the infiltrating conditions mentioned above. However, the oil-lubricated wear-resistance did not always correspond to the hardness, and when the infiltrating conditions were suitable, the wear-resistance of this hardfaced layer was comparable to that of WC-Co cemented carbide tool material.