Influence of niobium content on WC dissolution in iron-based hardfacing alloy

The Fe-Nb-C-B-Ni-WC(30%)iron-based tungsten carbide wear resistant hardfacing alloy was deposited on the Q235 byargontungsten-arcwelding (TIG) using flux-cored wire. The effect of niobium content on the dissolution of tungsten carbide in the alloy was studied by changing the niobium content from 1.0% to 3.8%. The results show that niobium content has a great influence on the degree of dissolution of tungsten carbide in the alloy. The primarily precipitated fine NbC particles around the tungsten carbide inhibit the dissolution of tungsten carbide. The amount of fine NbC determines the intensity of the inhibitory effect on the dissolution of tungsten carbide. The alloy with 2.5% niobium effectively inhibit the dissolution of tungsten carbide in the alloy, the original tungsten carbide particles were reserved more completely.