Microstructure and experimental design analysis of nickel based clad developed through microwave energy

In the present investigation microwave processing method was explored for the enhancement of surface properties of austenitic stainless steel (SS-304). The nickel based clads were developed through microwave energy. Taguchi's L9 orthogonal array was successfully adapted to study the slurry erosive wear rate. The obtained result indicated that erosion rate of the developed clad varied between 0.03363 g to 0.03570 g as an increase in slurry parameters like slurry velocity and impingement angle respectively. It is confirmed by the response table for means of DOE that the wear rate of the developed clad was more influenced by the rotational slurry speed and impingement angle; finally the possible mechanisms of the worn surface of the tested samples were observed through SEM.