Effect of electromagnetic stirring on microstructure and properties of surfacing metal

The effect of electromagnetic stirring on the microstructure and properties of surfacing metal during the applied longitudinal intermittent alternative magnetic field on low carbon steel with plasma arc surfacing are investigated and discussed.The surfacing metal was analyzed using optical metallography, X-ray diffraction, microhardness testing and wet sand rubber wheel abrasion testing. It' s found that the hard phases are increasing and distributing homogeneously in the surface of surfacing layer with changing magnetic parameters and the wear resistance of surfacing metal is increasing gradually. The optimal result is acquired when the magnetic parameters are 3 A, 10 Hz. The experimental results indicate that the optimal effect of grain refining can be gained with the proper magnetic parameters and electromagnetic stirring can control the morphology of hard phase in surfacing metal.The morphology of hard phases with strip and hexagon distribution without magnetic field are shifted to only hexagon alignment distribution with proper magnetic field, which it can improve the hardness and wear resistance of surfacing metal greatly.