Sliding wear study of WC-10Co4Cr clad on SS-316 using microwave energy

Abstract The current study comprises the changing surface morphology of austenitic stainless steel (SS-316) with WC-10Co4Cr powder using an affordable microwave route. The surface modification was achieved by utilizing a microwave apparatus (power: 1.2 kW; frequency: 2.45 GHz). The x-ray diffraction (XRD) study reveals the presence of various carbide phases in the deposited clad layer. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination reveals the unequally dispersed reinforced skeleton carbide in a metal-based matrix with an average porosity of less than 1%. The deposits exhibit significantly higher hardness than that of the SS-316. A pin-on-disc tribometer was utilized to assess the dry sliding wear performance of deposits. The results revealed that the deposits exhibited better wear resistance than the SS-316 substrate due to the presence of reinforced hard carbides in a tougher metal-based matrix. The improvement in microhardness also leads to enhancement in the wear resistance of the deposits. The loss of material from the deposit surfaces during sliding was primarily due to micro-cutting and rupturing of the unstable tribofilm layer.