Wear resistance of modified NiMoCrSi claddings in relation to the resulting surface machinability via ultrasonic-assisted milling

In the field of plastics processing, extruder screws are subjected to significant wear stresses. The extruder screw is the main wear component in those production machines and is usually coated with intermetallic wear protection alloys composed of Ni-based alloys, specifically Colmonoy C56 PTA (NiMoCrSi). There is a growing demand for providing an economic machinability of these alloys to achieve defined contours with a sufficient surface integrity. Recent investigations exhibit promising results applying ultrasonic milling for such hard-to-cut materials. The Colmonoy C56 is modified by various alloying additions Ti, Nb, Mo, Hf, and Al, and then cladded on a steel S355 via Plasma Transferred Arc process. The effect of alloying additions on the microstructure is analyzed regarding their resistance to abrasive and adhesive wear. With Miller test ASTM G75 the influence of alloying elements on resistance to abrasive wear for two abrasive materials is investigated (high-grade corundum F220 and quartz powder). The wear loss is not increased for additions of Nb and Ti compared to the base material C56. Modifications with Hf or Al reduces the resistance to abrasive wear and significantly increases material loss. The extruder screw is also subject to adhesive wear, which can be quantified by means of the pin-roll test. It is demonstrated that the addition of Hf, for example, contributes to a reduction in wear loss. Aim of the investigations is to find suitable modifications for the wear claddings of C56 for a sufficient machineability, without compemising the wear resistant. The machinability is considerably affected by the alloy additions, and is determined using ultrasonic-assisted milling. The addition of hafnium reduces machinability, i.e. significantly increases cutting forces. The incorporation of Nb exhibits a significant reduction of cutting forces, and results in reduced tool wear and an enhanced of surface integrity (roughness, density of defects, residual stresses). • Analyses for efficient manufacturing wear resistant materials. • Influence on microstructure trough addition of small amounts of alloy elements. • Impact of alloy modification on machinability. • Positive effects of ultrasonic assisted milling on tool wear and surface integrity. • Impact of alloy modification on resulting wear resistance.