Obtaining a steel-based metal matrix composite by wire-feed additive electron beam manufacturing with the introduction of tungsten powder

Wire-feed electron-beam additive technology is used to produce samples of a composite material based on the 40Cr9Si2 steel by additionally introducing tungsten powder during printing. Controlling the feed of wire and powder makes it possible to form composite structures in the surface layers of the samples while maintaining the sample bulks with high strength and plasticity. The content of tungsten in the surface layer increases smoothly. This has a positive effect on the structure of the samples and prevents cracking or delamination at the boundary between the base metal and the surface layer. The tensile strength of the layers decreases with the introduction of tungsten in comparison with the bulk of the sample. In this case, the surface layers are characterized by a multiple increase in wear resistance, especially at elevated test temperatures.