Hard and wear resistant AISI304 stainless steel clad layer deposited on mild steel substrate by TIG cladding

Abstract

In this study, mild steel was cladded with preplaced AISI304 stainless steel wire using a tungsten inert gas (TIG) heat source to enhance its hardness and wear resistance. The microstructure, hardness, and tribological properties of clad layer were examined. Results showed the microstructure comprised phases like dendrite, cellular, and columnar dendrite, along with austenite dendrite at the interface. Microhardness ranged from 275.61HV_.5 to 334.96HV_.5, while the substrate measured 176.94HV_.5. The clad layer exhibited a wear rate between 57 µm and 70 µm, with substrate at 146 µm. XRD analysis revealed hard carbides and intermetallic compounds with Cr and Ni, enhancing hardness.