Speaker
Description
This study investigates the influence of thermal process conditions on the microstructural evolution and wear-related properties of a Fe-Cr-Nb coating produced by laser cladding. Iron-based hardfacing alloys with increased niobium content have attracted interest for wear-resistant applications due to their potential to form hard Nb-rich precipitates while maintaining good corrosion resistance. However, the influence of thermal cycling and repeated heat input during multi-layer laser cladding on the resulting microstructure and functional properties has not yet been sufficiently clarified.
To address this, single- and multi-layer coatings are manufactured by laser cladding under varying thermal conditions, using optimized process parameters obtained through a multi-stage Design of Experiments. The study focuses on the correlation between process-induced thermal history, microstructure development and resulting mechanical properties. Particular attention is given to the influence of repeated thermal exposure on phase formation, precipitate evolution, and microstructural stability within the iron matrix. Microstructural characterization is performed using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In addition, Vickers hardness measurements and abrasive wear testing are conducted to evaluate the mechanical and tribological performance of the coatings.
The study aims to advance understanding of process–structure–property relationships in wear-resistant Fe-Cr-Nb hardfacing alloys. The findings are expected to provide insights into the role of thermal process control on the formation of wear-relevant microstructural features and the resulting performance of single- and multi-layer coatings manufactured by laser cladding.
| Speaker Country | Germany |
|---|---|
| Would you like to publish your paper in the special issue of BHM "Berg- und Hüttenmännische Monatshefte" | No |