Abrasive wear behavior of WC-10Co-4Cr cladding deposited by TIG welding process

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to fabricate a highly wear resistant WC-10Co-4Cr cladding on AISI 304 stainless steel using TIG welding process. The effect of current and speed on the microstructure, hardness, and abrasive wear of the cladding was investigated. Tribological behaviour of the claddings slided against SiC emery paper was examined using pin-on-disc tribometer. FESEM, XRD and EDS spectrums were used to analyse the microstructure of cladding. Different parametric combination of current and speed has been used to produce the variation in heat input during the cladding. Process parameters, such as current and speed influence the solidification time which results in different kind of microstructure. The results revealed that the TIG cladding deposited at low heat input produces a hard and wear resistance cladding. Increase in hardness and wear resistance was attributed to the partially melted WC grains reinforced in CoCr matrix. SEM images showed the formation of wear tracks on the surface of worn out cladding. The wear tracks was formed due to the plastic deformation and extrusion of CoCr matrix. However, the cladding developed at low heat input shows relatively smooth surface with lesser depth of wear tracks.