Characterization and in-situ formation mechanism of tungsten carbide reinforced Fe-based alloy coating by plasma cladding

Abstract

The precursor carbonization method was first applied to prepare W–C compound powder to perform the in-situ synthesis of the WC phase in a Fe-based alloy coating. The in-situ formation mechanism during the cladding process is discussed in detail. The results reveal that fine and obtuse WC particles were successfully generated and distributed in Fe-based alloy coating via Fe/W–C compound powders. The WC particles were either surrounded by or were semi-enclosed in blocky M₇C₃ carbides. Moreover, net-like structures were confirmed as mixtures of M₂₃C₆ and α-Fe; these structures were transformed from M₇C₃. The coarse herringbone M₆C carbides did not only derive from the decomposition of M₇C₃ but also partly originated from the chemical reaction at the α-Fe/M₂₃C₆ interface. During the cladding process, the phase evolution of the precipitated carbides was WC → M₇C₃ → M₂₃C₆ + M₆C.

Keywords

precursor carbonization / tungsten carbide (WC) / microstructure / in-situ formation mechanism / phase evolution

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