Analysis of microstructure and wear resistance of SiC/Ni composite coating by argon arc cladding

A metal matrix composite coating was fabricated by means of argon arc cladding technique with the pre-alloyed powder of Ni60A and SiC.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) were used to analyze the microstructure of coating.The results show that composite coating with excellent metallurgical bonding between the coating and substrate can be obtained by argon arc cladding, the main phases of coating are Ni₃Si dendrite, M₇C₃ and γ-Ni, no SiC left, and Ni₃Si dendrites distribute in the matrix of Ni-based alloy homogeneously.The maximum microhardness of the coating can up to 1100 HV0.2, and the wear resistance of the coating is about 13 times higher than that of Q235 steel substrate.