Effects of Material Composition and Microstructural Features on Dry Sliding Wear Behaviour of Fe–TiC Composite and a Cobalt-Based Stellite

This investigation deals with the influence of hardfacing En31 steel separately with Fe–TiC composite and commercial cobalt base (stellite 6) material on their sliding wear behaviour at 2.94 m/s speed and varying applied pressures. Wear response of the samples was substantiated through the scanning electron microscopic studies of the wear surfaces, subsurface regions and debris particles. The hardfaced samples revealed superior wear performance than that of the substrate. Further, the steel hardfaced with cobalt-based stellite offered higher wear resistance over the one overlayed with Fe–TiC composite. The applied pressure controlled the wear behaviour (rate) in a complex manner and its influence was dependent on material composition/microconstituents and test conditions. The friction coefficient got reduced with pressure except in the case of the Fe–TiC composite overlay beyond 2 MPa. The hardfaced samples were noted to be better suited for more severe conditions. Microcracking was quite frequently observed on wear surfaces of the hardfaced material especially under mild wear conditions. Sticking of fine debris particles on to the specimen surface was also observed.