Microstructure and Wear Behavior of Cermet/Iron Alloy Cladding Layers on A6061 Alloy Coated by Resistance Seam Welding Method

Cermet/iron alloy cladding layers were coated on the surface of Al-Mg-Si alloy (A6061) plates by resistance seam welding method with tungsten carbide (WC) and high-carbon iron alloy (SHA) powders. The cladding layer consisted of WC reinforcement, SHA binder, A6061 and FeAl₃. The effect of WC ratio (30 wt%, 50 wt% and 70 wt%) on the microstructure and wear behavior of the cladding layers was investigated in detail. Abrasive wear test was performed under two kinds of load condition by using a rubber wheel apparatus to evaluate wear resistance. The results showed that the wear resistance of the cladding layer was improved by 3.5-5 times than that of the substrate. At lower load, the wear resistances of the samples 30% and 70% WC were nearly the same, which suggested that FeAl₃ played an important role in improvement of the wear resistance instead of WC. While at higher load, the amount of WC determined the wear resistance of the cladding layer. Furthermore, wear behavior of these cladding layers was explained with reference to the observed microstructure of the worn surface.