The effect of microstructure on high-stress abrasion resistance of Fe-Cr-C hardfacing deposits

Abstract

Surface modification of mild steel was undertaken using two covered electrodes and two tubular electrodes. The two covered electrodes are DIN 8555: E6-UM-60 and E10-UM-60GR; however, the two tubular electrodes are E10-GF-60GR1 and E10-GF-60GR2. Chemical analysis for the weld metal and XRD of the flux covering for covered electrodes and flux core for tubular electrodes were conducted. The most important factor in determining the wear resistance is the microstructure of the deposit layers. In similar carbon equivalent electrodes E10-UM-60GR and E10-GF-60GR1, electrode E10-GF-60GR1 (tubular) shows a larger carbide area fraction and better wear resistance than electrode E10-UM-60GR (covered). This could be attributed to a lower dilution associated with the tubular electrode compared with the covered electrode. The two tubular electrodes showed higher wear resistance than the covered electrodes, which is mainly due to the larger Fe-Cr carbide precipitation area fraction.