CHARACTERIZATION OF A NEW HIGH ABRASION AND EROSION RESISTANCE IRON-BASED ALLOY FOR PTA HARDFACING

The article presents the results of research on an innovative iron-based alloy for industrial arc surfacing using the Plasma Transferred Arc (PTA) hardfacing process. The use of high cooling rates makes it possible to obtain a structure partially similar to metallic glass. Thus, it was possible to avoid the conventional dendritic solidification, resulting in the grain refinement through a eutectoid growth of laths of bainitic ferrite. The surface layer consisted of the fine structure of a Feα, Feγ and a high-volume fraction of borocarbide phases. An even distribution of borocarbide phases in a ductile iron matrix appears to be particularly desirable for achieving high hardness and resistance to metal-mineral abrasive wear (ASTM G-65). The surface layer showed a hardness of up to 69 HRC and resistance to abrasive wear that was more than 14 times higher than of steel type AR 400. In addition, the surfacing layer is characterized by high erosion resistance (ASTM G 76-95) and resistance to impact loads up to 200 J. The developed PTA hardfacing alloy is expected to be useful in applications requiring high abrasion and erosion resistance combined with high impact strength.