Coating of AISI 304 stainless steel surface with addition of Cr3C2 to NiCrCo medium entropy alloy powder

Abstract In this study, NiCrCo and NiCrCo + XCr3C2 powder were added to surface of the AISI 304 stainless steel at certain rates and the steel surface was coated by TIG welding. As a result of the coatings, no cracks, voids or rupture were observed between the substrate and the coating layer. Optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) tests were performed on the samples to examine the microstructure of the coating surface. Besides these analyses, wear and microhardness tests were also performed. NiCrCo + 10 wt.% Cr3C2 reinforced coating sample showed the best wear resistance. The highest hardness value of 357.5 HV was obtained in the NiCrCo + 15 wt.% Cr3C2 reinforced sample.