On surface modification of austenitic stainless steel using microwave processed Ni/Cr 3 C 2 composite cladding

Abstract

In the present work Ni-based + 20% Cr₃C₂ composite clads were developed on SS-304 austenitic stainless steel through microwave hybrid heating technique. Experimental trials were conducted inside a domestic microwave applicator at 2.45 GHz and 900 W. The developed microwave composite clads were characterised through SEM/EDS, XRD and Vicker's micro-hardness tests. Further tribological wear behavior of the so developed clad was investigated using pin-on-disc type tribometer under dry sliding wear conditions. Microstructural analysis revealed the uniform dispersion of Cr₃C₂ particles inside the Ni matrix in the form of cellular-like structure. The presence of FeNi₃, NiSi, Cr₃Ni₂ and chromium carbide (Cr₃C₂) was confirmed from the XRD analysis, which contributes to the increase in micro-hardness of the composite clad. The average value of micro-hardness of the developed clads was found to be 450 ± 55 HV. The microwave-processed clad exhibits three times more wear resistance than SS-304 substrate.