Investigation on microstructure and wear resistance of in-situ composites coating product by gas tungsten arc welding on 304 stainless steel

In the present study, microstructure and wear resistance of in-situ composite coatings TiC-Al2O3 and TiB2-TiC-Al2O3 product by gas tungsten arc welding process on AISI 304 austenite stainless steel were investigated. For this, a paste of the mixed powders of 3TiO2-4Al-3C and 3TiO2-4Al-B4C was provided and applied on the surface of AISI 304 austenite stainless steel substrate, then fused using gas tungsten arc welding process. The microstructural features and phase characterization of the cladded samples were investigated using optical and electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The mechanical properties of clad layers were studied by Vickers microhardness and pin-on-disk wear tests. The microstructural investigations of cladded layers indicated that high heat input during welding led to high temperature synthesis and formation of significant reinforcing particles on the surface of steel. Also, the cubic TiC particles formed separately or inhomogeneously nucleated on Al2O3 particles in the austenitic matrix of 304 stainless steel. Likewise, the formation of TiB2 particles was approved with X-ray diffraction analysis. The rei