TiC/Fe-based alloy hardfacing layers were obtained by shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), in which H08A bare electrode was coated with a powder mixture of ferrotitanium, rutile, graphite, calcium carbonate and calcium fluoride. TiC particles are produced by direct metallurgical reaction between ferrotitanium and graphite during welding. The particles of TiC with cubic shape are distributed evenly in the Fe-rich matrix in the hardfacing layers, the particle size is about 3-5 mu m. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the hardfacing layers are markedly affected by the amounted of the ferrotitaniurn and graphite in the coating of the electrode. The wear properties of the hardfacing layers are superior to the substrate AISI 1045 steel. The coefficient of friction data of the hardfacing layers do not show significant fluctuations. (c) 2005 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.