Based on the liquid-sinter theory of powder metallurgy, using the heat of liquid iron during casting, the FeαAl O , FeαZrO 2 3 2 and FeαTiC surface composites, with a thickness of 2α3 mm, were sintered on the surface of cast iron by the addition of ZrO , 2 Al O or TiC ceramic powder into press blocks, respectively. The structures and compositions of the FeαAl O , FeαZrO and 2 3 2 3 2
FeαTiC surface composites were studied with the help of an SEM and an electron probe. The ceramic particles were uniformly dispersed in the iron-alloy matrix. In the FeαTiC surface composite layer, the concentration of Ti was relatively stable and consistently retained at a high level, and the concentration of Cr, Mo and Ni took on a gradient distribution and decreased gradually into that of a master-alloy. Increasing the liquid content in the press block and adding an infiltrator, the densification of the surface composite layer and the interface-bond between the surface composite layer and master-alloy can be improved. The cast sinter technique provides the opportunity of producing near-net-shape final components with a metalαceramic surface composite layer during casting.