Hadfield steel is known to be used in high wear resistance applications due to its unique work-hardening ability and high ductility. Therefore, it is used mainly in crushing applications. Nevertheless, Hadfield steel suffers from low hardness. In the current study, Hadfield steel will be reinforced with TiC particles in the form of Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) in order to enhance its hardness properties.

The main focus will be to investigate the effect of different compaction pressure on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the studied composites.

The MMC structure was characterised using an Stereo and Optical microscope, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Vickers Hardness tester, and X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD). The results indicate an homogeneous distribution of TiC particles in the Hadfield steel matrix. A significant increase in hardness values of the reinforced region was observed with the increase of compaction pressure and increase of binder precentage. In addition to a decrease in particle size.