Effect of filler material on sliding wear resistance of a structural steel welded by GMAW

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of the filler material in the welding and its resulting microstructures on the wear resistance of welded joints of a structural weathering steel ASTM A242 used in wagons for mining. The samples were welded using the GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding) process using two filler materials which have different mechanical strength, AWS ER70S-6 and AWS ER80S-G. The wear resistance of the samples was evaluated using a linearly reciprocating sliding microwear test, dry and in a solution containing 0.05M NaCl, in three regions of the welded joint: base metal (BM), weld metal (WM) and coarse grained heat affected zone (CGHAZ). After welding, it was observed an increase in the mean hardness values of the MS and ZAC in comparison to the initial hardness of base metal with the use of both filler metals, and the hardness values in each of these regions were similar. The results of the microwear tests showed that BM presented the lowest wear resistance, possibly due to its microstructure, which facilitated wear by plastic deformation. The CGHAZ showed the highest wear resistance. Comparing the tests carried out under the dry and in solution conditions, a reduction in the coefficient of friction was observed when the solution was added to the system, and the volume loss of the tracks was more pronounced. It was observed that the use of the lower mechanical strength filler material produced welded joints with wear resistance comparable to the joints obtained with the higher strength filler material.