Diffusion of elements (Cr, Ni and C) in white cast iron bonded to steel cast composite alloys and the incorporation of WC particles

Recently a cast method for manufacturing alloy composites has been developed which offers improved flexibility with the manufacture of complex shapes. The composites produced to-date include white cast iron bonded to a steel substrate and are used primarily in the mining industry as wear parts, Fig. 1. Historically composite wear parts have been manufactured using vacuum brazing, hard-face weld deposits and laser cladding, which intrinsically have been limited to predominantly flat shapes. The cost of manufacture for these types of composites is relatively high due to the raw material processing required and surface preparation.