Effect of Nb Content on the Microstructure and Wear Resistance of Fe-12Cr-xNb-4C Coatings Prepared by Plasma-Transferred Arc Welding

Abstract

The Fe-Cr-C coatings with different levels of Nb addition were prepared on carbon steel by a plasma transferred arc (PTA) weld-surfacing process and their microstructure and properties were investigated. As the Nb content increases from 8.96% to 12.55%, the coating gradually changes from a hypereutectic structure (martensite, austenite matrix, primary NbC and eutectic γ+M7C3) to a near eutectic structure (γ+M7C3 and NbC) and finally a hypoeutectic structure (primary γ, γ+M7C3 and NbC). As the Nb content increases, the hardness and wear resistance of the coating first increase and then decrease, which is closely related to the NbC volume fraction first increasing and then the NbC size coarsening. The Fe-Cr-C coating with 11.65% Nb balances the NbC content and size, and has the highest hardness and best wear resistance. As the Nb content increases further, the formation and aggregation of coarse NbC carbides in the coating results in high brittleness of the coating, which may cause the carbide particles to peel off the coating during the wear process, thereby reducing wear resistance.