Sliding Wear of Composite Stainless Steel Hardfacing under Room and Elevated Temperature

Abstract

The present research focuses onto sliding wear of novel plasma transferred arc welded (PTAW) hardfacing with the stainless steel (DIN X3CrNiMo18-13-3) matrix, reinforced with WC/W₂C, under the room and elevated temperature. The hardfacing was produced, applying the optimized set of parameters (current – 55 A, reciprocating speed – 1.0 mm/s, oscillation frequency – 0.6 Hz). The average reinforcement content was 29.3 ± 4.0 vol %. The reinforcement consisted of W₂C and WC, while M₇C₃- and M₂₃C₆-type (M = Fe, Cr, Mo, W) carbides were the main phases in the matrix. Universal hardness and Young’s modulus were approximately 5.3 and 1.9 times higher, than those of the reference steel (DIN X2CrNiMo18-14-3). The sliding wear of the hardfacing was 4.9 times lower under 20 °C and 3.1 times lower under 300 °C, but 1.8 times higher under 500 °C than the wear of the reference steel. Galling was the wear mechanism of the hardfacing under 20 °C, scoring – under 300 °C and combination of scoring and binder extrusion – under 500 °C