Al2O3 particulate reinforced steel matrix composites were fabricated successfully by squeezing casting through coating a thermal insulating ceramic layer on the internal surface of the mold.The cooling rate of the molten steel can be decreased greatly with the help of the ceramic layer

and the key problems in fabrication of steel matrix composites

such as very high cooling rate

poor infiltration ability with the molten steel

which result in difficulty in fabrication of the composites

are solved.The Al2O3p/40Cr steel matrix composites with 6mm in thickness and 56% Al2O3 particles in volume fraction were successfully fabricated by squeezing casting with 8MPa pressure.The as-cast and heat treated microstructure

hardness

wear resistance of the composites prepared were investigated.The results show that the compact microstructure in the composites with fine grain can be observed.The macro-interface between the substrate and composites layer is tranferred naturally

and the micro-interface between Al2O3particles and the matrix exhibits dense without any cavities.The wear resistance of the composites is 8.7 times higher than that of the 40Cr substrate.