Development of WC hard-facing welding process using pulse heated hot-wire gas tungsten arc welding system

Abstract

In this research, the hot-wire gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process was developed to create a sound bead having a high WC content ratio and uniform dispersion of WC particles in order to improve the abrasion resistance of a hard-faced layer. The effect of the welding parameter on welding phenomenon and weld bead properties, i.e. the content ratio and distribution of WC, were investigated in detail to achieve the optimum welding conditions. In addition, an abrasion test was carried out using the specimen produced using the obtained conditions to evaluate the abrasion resistance property. The weld bead using the hot-wire GTAW process by employing the optimum conditions showed the high content ratio and uniform distribution of WC particles, and it could achieve the high abrasion resistance.