On the wear characteristics of cobalt-based hardfacing layer after thermal fatigue and oxidation

High temperature wear characteristics of Stellite 6 alloy containing Cr3C2 after thermal fatigue and oxidation treatment at 700°C were investigated. The hardfacing layer was deposited by plasma transferred arc (PTA) process. After thermal fatigue treatment, cracks propagated along boundaries of incoherent chromium carbide particles. Significant oxidation occurred mainly on the clad layer containing Cr3C2. The wear test results revealed a slightly higher wear volume on Stellite 6 with Cr3C2 due to the existence of cracks. The formation of oxide on the surface could effectively reduce the wear volume by reducing the real contact area between mating surfaces. Lower sliding speed resulted in higher wear volume. The mechanism was interpreted by the friction coefficient change during sliding wear. Wear test results were further interpreted by investigating the wear trace via SEM. Possible wear mechanisms were postulated. Analysis of wear debris showed severe oxidation on the Stellite 6 with Cr3C2. It could be concluded that oxidation on the clad layer was beneficial to the wear resistance at elevated temperature. Thermal fatigue cracking on the surface might be detrimental to the wear resistance, however, this could be partly compensated by the existence of oxide.