Effect of argon flow rate and standoff distance on the microstructure and wear behaviour of WC-CoCr TIG cladding

Abstract

Abstract This study examines the micro-hardness and abrasive wear resistance of WC-CoCr cladding produced by tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding process. The effect of argon flow rate and standoff distance on the microstructure and properties of the cladding was also investigated. The morphology of WC-CoCr powder and its corresponding claddings was examined by FE- SEM analysis. The tribological behaviour of cladding was analysed by using pin-on-disc wear tribometer. High hardness and wear resistance were observed at higher values of standoff distance and argon flow rate. Wear in the cladding is mainly due to pull out of tungsten carbide particles along with plastic flow caused by yielding and extrusion of CoCr binder.