TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 310/1986
By R V Sharples
Background
A range of materials based on a composite structure of hard particles in a metallic matrix was deposited, with the aim of assessing and developing cheaper and/or more effective materials which have less emphasis on strategic elements such as cobalt. A powder fed plasma transferred arc (PTA) weld surfacing system was employed to deposit commercially available composite materials containing titanium carbide (TiC) and a range of prototype composite materials consisting of silicon carbide (SiC), tetraboron carbide (B4C), chromium boride (CrB) or tungsten/vanadium carbide (W/VC) and nickel or stainless steel-based matrix powders. Deposits resulting from the application of a commercially available CrB containing 'fuse-in paste' were also studied. All materials were assessed for ease of deposition, and the resulting deposit microstructures and hardnesses were examined. The appearance of hardness indentations was used to provide an indication of tolerance to plastic strain and hence of deposit ductility.