Microstructure and tribological performance of Ti–6Al–4V cladding with SiC powder

In this investigation, titanium carbide (TiC) and Ti5Si3 reinforcements were synthesized in situ using a gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) cladding process in which silicon carbide (SiC) powder was used to clad Ti–6Al–4V substrate. The evolution of the microstructure during cooling was elucidated and the relationship among the wear behavior of the clad layer, microstructures, and microhardness was determined. The experimental results reveal that the SiC clad layer specimen under a dry sliding wear test condition exhibited better wear performance than that of the un-clad Ti–6Al–4V alloy specimen.