Optimizing wear resistance of ceramic (TiN, WC and TiC) clad layer by gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW)

Purpose ‐ This paper aims to compare the wear performance of carbon steel specimens clad with TiC, WC and TiN powders by the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) method under optimum processing conditions. Design/methodology/approach ‐ Various ceramic powders (TiC, WC and TiN) with equal percentages by weight were prepared for use as cladding materials to compare their effects on wear resistance. The wear behaviors of different cladding specimens were evaluated with a rotating-type tribometer under dry sliding conditions. The cladding microstructures were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry. Findings ‐ The experimental results confirmed that the hardness was also much higher in the carbon steel with cladding than in carbon steel without cladding. The pin-on-disc wear test showed that the wear-resistance of ceramics clad with TiC is better than that in ceramics clad with WC or TiN. The wear scar area of the specimen with TiC cladding was only one-tenth that of carbon steel without cladding. Originality/value ‐ The experiments confirm that the cladding surfaces of ceramic particles reduce wear rate and friction.