ABSTRACT
Partial dilution of clad powder and the substrate to form a new protective layer is called cladding. The present article focuses on the development of a novel surface modification technique for better resistance to wear/erosion using microwaves as a source of heat. Clads of MoCoCrSi+Cr3C2 were produced on austenitic stainless steel (SS-316) using microwave irradiation. Composite clads were established by irradiating microwaves at 2.45 GHz frequency and power of 900 W using a domestic microwave applicator for 42 minutes. Microstructural and Metallurgical characterization of the cladding and substrate were performed. Careful observation of the microstructures revealed uniform grain structures, free from defects on the surface of the cladded substrate. Furthermore, no significant cracks were found on the transverse section of the clad, characterizing good bonding between clad particles and substrate. The developed clad demonstrates significantly higher hardness than the substrate. Cladding showed better resistance to scratch compared to the substrate.
