Abstract-Hardfacing is a surface alteration method mostly utilized for the deposition of superior and hard materials on the surface of a substrate with the help of some suitable welding process. This technique is generally used for improving the desirable surface characteristics, for example, erosion resistance, corrosion resistance, etc. of several engineering parts. In the present investigation three dissimilar Fe-C-Cr based hardfacing electrodes were deposited on the surface of ASTM A36 steel by using manual metal arc welding process for improving its wear resistance. Sliding wear behavior of bare ASTM A36 steel specimens and hardfaced ASTM A36 steel samples was studied on a pin-on-disc wear tester. It was observed that the sliding wear behavior and performance of all the hardfaced specimens was observed to be superior to that of bare ASTM A36 steel samples. The effect of the different hardfacings on the wear characteristics, behavior, performance and the extent of wear on ASTM A36 steel were thoroughly examined. The impact of the diverse hardfacing alloys on the wear characteristics, behavior, performance and the degree of wear on ASTM A36 steel were thoroughly examined.The effect of varying the percentage composition of chromium from 23% to 33% and carbon from 3.5% to 4.5% in the diverse Fe-C-Cr based hardfacing electrodes on the resultant microstructure and also the wear behavior of the deposited layers was studied. The comparison of cumulative wear rate (in Bowden) of all the hardfaced specimens with that of the bare ASTM A36 samples exhibited a considerable advancement in the wear resistance imparted by Fe-C-Cr based hardfacings over the ASTM A36 steel. Keyword -Cumulative Wear Rate (CWR), Hardfacing, Manual Metal Arc Welding (MMAW), Pin-on-Disc Wear Tester.
I.INTRODUCTION The economic condition of individuals and industry is significantly affected by losses due to wear, hence they tend to focus on the causes of wear and methods that can improve wear resistance. All types of industries such as manufacturing, assembly, construction, automobiles, etc. face the problem of wear on components in service. Due to wear the components need frequent repair and replacement, which costs money and causes downtime of the equipment. Degradation of materials due to wear ultimately results in very high losses that affects the economic situation of all the countries as well as defames their reputation [1]. Erosive wear has been a persistent problem faced by boiler components such as boiler tubes, super-heater tubes and blades of induced draft fans, etc. especially in coal fired power plants.Commonly used surface alteration method is hardfacing in which hard and superior materials is meld onthe surface of the inferior base material by welding for improving its wear resistance [2]. Wear is the degradation of material from either of two surfaces in contact due to relative motion between them [3].Wear is generally a very slow process, but it goes on very steadily and continuously [4].Although due consideration has been paid b...