Optimization of material and process parameters for plasma transferred arc hard facing for high temperature applications

Abstract

The authors in this research paper have investigated the process of hardfacing, which is a well-established manufacturing process for increasing the durability of industrial components, which are subjected to extreme wear, erosion, abrasion. The objective of this study is to establish a scientific methodology to select the most suitable combinations of materials as base-deposition materials for hardfacing, specifically focusing on Nickel-based and Cobalt-based materials. In order to make an informed decision, multi-criteria decision-making method known as “Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS)” is used. This technique permits to deal with wide range of important factors, such as the materials' high-temperature resistance, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance, among others. The paper discusses a step-by-step approach to selecting the best alternative material for hardfacing by considering eight different criteria and assigning preferences to each of the available materials. The results of this methodology suggested that Stellite-6 based cobalt-based alloy is best suitable for AISI 304 grade austenitic stainless steel materials used for high temperature applications.In addition, the paper also studies the effects of various welding parameters on the hardfacing process. This includes parameters such as welding current, welding speed, powder feed rate and the type of shielding gas used. The significance of each parameter is also studied, and the results of these investigations are discussed in detail. Overall, this research paper provides a comprehensive overview of the hardfacing process and the materials and techniques that are best suited for it, making it valuable resource for professionals and researchers in the field.