Abrasive wear characteristics of coating area of low carbon steel surface alloyed through tungsten inert gas welding process

Low carbon steel surfaces were alloyed with composite powders using the tungsten inert gas welding method. After the alloying process, the effects of welding parameters, such as energy input, progress speed and coating thickness on the microstructural characteristics of the alloyed samples were examined. In the experimental investigation, a low carbon steel surface was alloyed with austenitic stainless steel powder and austenitic stainless steel composites mixed with 4·5% Co, Mo and Ti particles respectively. Following surface alloying, conventional characterisation techniques, such as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrograph and X-ray diffraction, were used to study the microstructure of the alloyed zone. Hardness measurements were also performed across the alloyed zone. Examination of the microstructure revealed the presence of M23C6 carbides, solid melt phases, and intermetallic phases, such as Ni3Ti, depending on the alloying element in the composite. As...