Characterization and Wear Behavior of NiCrMoSiC Microwave Cladding

A microwave hybrid heating technique has been employed to develop NiCr-Mo-SiC composite cladding on titanium alloy (Grade-5/Ti-6Al-4 V/Titan-31). The developed claddings have been characterized for microstructural features, phase analysis, microhardness measurements, and 3D optical profile parameters by employing scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, Vickers microhardness tester, and 3D optical profilometer, respectively. Microwave clads have been subjected to linear reciprocator ball on plate wear test with static alumina indenter. Wear track parameters and friction coefficients have been studied. A dense microstructure with uniform distribution of hard phases and good metallurgical bonding with no visible pores and cracks has been obtained. Cladding exhibits nearly 2 times higher hardness than the base alloy. Coefficient of friction studies revealed that higher molybdenum content enhances internal lubricity.