Microstructure and wear properties of TIC/Fe-based composite coating prepared by PTA weld-surfacing process

The TiC/Fe-based composite coating was fabricated by plasma transferred arc (PTA) weld-surfacing process on substrate of Q235 steel with the mixture of ferrotitanium, ferrochromium and ferrosilicium powders. The microstructure and wear properties of the coating were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron micrograph (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), microhardness test and wear test. The results show that the coating consists of TiC, (Cr,Fe)(7)C-3 and austenite. The composite coating is metallurgically bonded to the Q235 steel substrate. TiC particles formed by PTA weld-surfacing process presented cubic or "dendrite flower-like" morphology. The wear-resisting property of the coating was greatly improved compared with the substrate. The coating has excellent adhesive wear and grinding abrasion resisting force.