Microstructure and wear property of hardfacing alloy with nitrogen strengthening

The nitrogen-alloying hardfacing alloy of the martensitic stainless steel was deposited on a low carbon steel substrate using hardfacing flux-cored wire. Microstructure and surface hardness of hardfacing alloy were investigated and measured by optical microscope and microhardness tester. Carbonitrides of the hardfacing alloy were observed by electron probe. The wear behaviour of the hardfacing alloy was studied using the belt abrasion test apparatus and the worn surface was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that carbonitride particles in the hardfacing alloy are complex MX (M:alloy elements; X:C, N) precipitate with fine size. These carbonitride particles distributed homogeneously in the hardfacing alloy and had a good strengthening effect on the wear property. The wear property of the hardfacing alloy with nitrogen was better than the one without nitrogen.