Homogeneity, Hardness Distribution, and Metallurgical Behavior of SS-304 Cladding Surface with Si, Ni, and TiO2

Abstract

ABSTRACT In the present study, an attempt was made to develop surface cladding on SS-304 steel by utilising a mixture of EWAC (70% nickel-based powder as an early warning and caution), 20% Si, and 10% TiO2 (Titanium dioxide) powder via microwave energy. The microwave cladding process on the SS-304 (stainless steel-304) was carried out in the in-house developed set-up on the microwave. The microwave cladding process was carried out at 900 W with a 2.45 GHz frequency for 120 s. The microstructure image of the developed surface showed the presence of TiO2 particles. A uniform cladding layer with fewer dark pixels has been observed. Higher homogeneity of the cladding layer and cladding surface reduces the dimensional deviation of the developed cladding surface. The XRD of the cladding surface shows the presence of FeNi3, NiSi2, Ni3C, NiC, Ni2Si, FeNi, and TiO2 phases. Uniform hardness distribution for the cladding layer and cladding surface was observed, while hardness distribution in SS-304 after solidification a severe variability. The hardness of SS-304 was improved by about 42.42% after the microwave cladding of Ni, 20% Si, and 10% TiO2. The main reason for the increase in hardness is the formation of different hard phases such as Ni3C, NiC, and TiO2 phases.