Insights into intragranular precipitation and toughening effect of W in (Ti, W)C solid solution with TiH₂ as the inducer

(Ti, W)C–W composites have been successfully synthesized by in-situ precipitation of multiscale W-rich particles in (Ti, W)C solid solution incorporated with TiH₂ as inducer. The microstructure of (Ti, W)C–W composites is characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The variations in lattice parameter of (Ti, W)C solid solution with increasing the sintering temperature are dependent upon the in-situ precipitation process of W-rich phase. The low temperature sintering route is beneficial to the precipitation of W-rich phase due to high concentration gradient in (Ti, W)C solid solution. The intragranular W-rich precipitates in the (Ti, W)C matrix exhibit semi-coherent interface and an orientation relationship of [111]_W//[011]_{(Ti, W)C}. The in-situ precipitation of multiscale W-rich particles have a positive influence on the fracture toughness, and the value of (Ti, W)C–W composite obtained at 1700 °C is 4.23 MPa m^1/2.