Microstructure and wear resistance of plasma clad Fe-based hardfacing alloy

Abstract：In order to improve the wear resistance of machine parts subjected to severe operating conditions,a series of Fe-15Cr-xV-0.8C hardfacing alloys were prepared on the surface of 20 g steel with with a plasma cladding technology.The microstructures of the alloys and the morphologies of carbides were investigated by means of optical microscopy（OP）,scanning electron microscopy（SEM） and X-ray diffractometer（XRD）.The results show that the microstructure of the hardfacing alloys consist of martensite,ferrite,small amount of austenite as well as M7C3 and VC phases.The addition of V element into the hardfacing alloys can induce the martensitic transformation of the matrix and improve the wear resistance of the alloys.With increasing the mass fraction of V element,the amount of VC phase increases,and the grains inside the hardfacing alloys get remarkably refined.In addition,the effect of V content on the hardness and wear resistance of the hardfacing alloys was examined.The results of abrasive wear resistance experiments indicate that the hardfacing alloys have excellent wear resistance.When large amount of hardening phases uniformly distribute and the grain size is moderate in the hardfacing alloys,the micro-cutting movement of abrasive particles can be effectively prevented,and the wear resistance of the alloys can be enhanced obviously.