By calculation of thermodynamics, analysis of crystal structure and study of transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), it has been discovered that TiC is formed preferentially between austenite dendrites at the end of the solidification to act as heterogeneous nuclei for the crystallization of the (Fe, Mn)(3)C (cementite) and gamma(2)-Fe (austenite) intergrowth eutectic in the austenite steel matrix wear resistant composite. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.