Abstract
This study investigates the kinetics of the high-temperature interaction between titanium carbide (TiC) and a low-carbon melt in an argon atmosphere, as well as the microstructure of the resulting substrate surface. A key feature of this work is the comparative analysis of two experimental techniques, contact and noncontact, to study the interaction between reinforcing particles and metal. This methodological approach highlights significant discrepancies in the results obtained by each technique, which is critical to optimizing processes in the fabrication of gradient materials, where reliable metal bonding is essential. The analysis showed that, under contact conditions, iron droplets enriched with titanium and carbon formed across the plate surface. In contrast, under noncontact conditions, droplet formation was minimal, and the metal was entirely absorbed into the substrate.