Effect of dilution on the microstructure and high-temperature wear resistance of self-lubricating nickel alloy claddings

Abstract

In this study, the impact of substrate dilution on the microstructure and tribological properties of tungsten inert gas (TIG)-deposited self-lubricating claddings was investigated. The dilution of Ti content on cladding increased as the TIG current increased, and the microhardness of the cladding decreased. The content of intermetallic phases such as TiNi and TiC increased with the increase in TIG current. The tribological studies revealed that coating dilution at higher TIG currents has prominent effects on wear behaviour at elevated temperatures. In both clads, the percentage decrease in hardness from higher TIG current to lower TIG current was noted as 31%. The higher dilution of Ti content in the cladding was found to be beneficial in tribological studies performed, especially at higher temperatures (≥400). Also, solid lubricants such as MoS2 and BaF2 encapsulation in the nickel alloy were found to be beneficial at both low and high temperatures.