Effects of reinforcement phase content on abrasion and corrosion resistance of laser cladded metal matrix composites coatings

• Main Author: Raahgini Chandrasegaran
• Other Authors: Matteo Seita
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2021
• Subjects: Engineering::Materials::Composite materials; Engineering::Materials::Material testing and characterization
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/147921
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

In the present work, laser metal cladding of metal matrix composite (MMC) clads using a direct energy deposition machine was carried out. Grade 304 stainless steel substrates were deposited with powder mixtures of Inconel 625 (In625) and vanadium carbide (VC). The microstructure, hardness, abrasive wear performance, and corrosion resistance were studied by changing the weight fraction of VC at 0, 5, 10 and 15 wt.%. The effect of increasing VC and the formation of secondary phases were examined using SEM-EDX analysis. The surface and cross-sectional hardness of the clad layers were determined using a Vickers hardness tester. The abrasive wear behaviour of the MMCs was investigated using dry sand/rubber wheel apparatus. The corrosion behaviour was studied using immersion tests in an H2S- saturated environment. The results showed that the addition of VC into the In625 alloy resulted in the formation of secondary phases which confirms the matrix-reinforcement adhesion. A good improvement of hardness was obtained with the addition of 15 wt.% VC compared to that of the In625 alloy. The abrasion wears performance of 5 wt.% MMC was slightly better than the In625 alloy, but the further increase of VC from 10 to 15 wt.% VC did not result in more improvement of the wear resistance. The corrosion resistance of the MMCs was comparable to the monolithic matrix alloy, with a very minimal deterioration of corrosion resistance observed in the MMCs, albeit being well within the acceptable ranges of corrosion rate.