On surface modification of austenitic stainless steel using microwave processed Ni/Cr3C2 composite cladding

摘要

In the present work Ni-based+20% Cr3C2 composite clads were developed on SS-304 austenitic stainless steel through microwave hybrid heating technique. Experimental trials were conducted inside a domestic microwave applicator at 2.45GHz and 900W. The developed microwave composite clads were characterised through SEM/EDS, XRD and Vicker's micro-hardness tests. Further tribological wear behavior of the so developed clad was investigated using pin-on-disc type tribometer under dry sliding wear conditions. Microstructural analysis revealed the uniform dispersion of Cr3C2 particles inside the Ni matrix in the form of cellular-like structure. The presence of FeNi3, NiSi, Cr3Ni2 and chromium carbide (Cr3C2) was confirmed from the XRD analysis, which contributes to the increase in micro-hardness of the composite clad. The average value of micro-hardness of the developed clads was found to be 450 +/- 55HV. The microwave-processed clad exhibits three times more wear resistance than SS-304 substrate.