The influence of welding condition on the microstructure of WC hardfacing coating on carbon steel substrate

Tungsten carbide (WC) hardfacing coating technique is widely used to improve the performance of carbon steel blade exposed to acidic and abrasive conditions during production. This paper deals with the influence of welding parameters on the microstructure and carbide distribution of WC. WC hardfacing was deposited onto carbon steel by shielded metal arc welding (SMAW). Welding parameters such as welding current, number of weld layers, electrode drying and base material preheat were the focus of this work. Coating hardness, microstructure and elemental composition were analysed in detail. The effects of the welding parameters on WC hardfacing coating microstructure and hardness value were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and micro-Vickers hardness tester respectively. The larger carbide growth in overall coating region is mainly dictated by high current (200 A), increased number of weld layers (3 layers) and presence of base material preheat due to sufficient heat energy initiating carbide growth. The investigation also revealed that high current affected the growth of smaller carbide particles in matrix region significantly. Meanwhile, number of weld layers and base material preheat influences were seen during hardfacing with lower welding current. The absence of electrode drying led to uniform smaller carbide distribution in matrix region. It was found that increased number of large carbides and uniformly distributed smaller carbides in WC hardfacing deposit increased the hardness value of the coating

Microstructure analysis of tungsten carbide hardfacing on carbon steel blade

Tungsten carbide (WC) hardfacing coating is commonly used to enhance carbon steel blade performance which works in acidic and abrasive condition during production process. This paper deals with tungsten carbide (WC) hardfacing microstructure analysis on a carbon steel blade. Mixing of ilmenite ore with sulphuric acid is performed by the carbon steel blade as part of a production process. Tungsten carbide hardfacing is deposited on the carbon steel blade to enhance its wear resistance. The carbide distribution along with elemental composition analysis of the hardfaced carbon steel blade specimens is examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) respectively. Microstructure analysis revealed that different sizes of carbides with non-uniform distribution are found around the coating region. The carbide region is contains high percentage of tungsten (W) meanwhile, non-carbide region rich in tungsten (W) and iron (Fe)

A study on wear failure analysis of tungsten carbide hardfacing on carbon steel blade in a digester tank

This paper addresses wear failure analysis of tungsten carbide (WC) hardfacing on a carbon steel blade known as the continuous digester blade (CD blade). The CD blade was placed in a digester tank to mix ilmenite ore with sulphuric acid as part of a production process. Tungsten carbide hardfacing was applied on the CD blade to improve its wear resistance while the CD blade was exposed to an abrasive and acidic environment. Failure analysis was car-ried out on the hardfaced CD blade in order to improve its wear resistance and lifetime. A thickness and hardness comparison study was conducted on worn and unworn specimens from the CD blades. The carbide distribution along with elemental composition analysis of the hardfaced CD blade specimens was examined using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The investigation revealed that an inconsistent hardfacing thickness was welded around the CD blade. Minimum coating thickness was found at the edges of the blade surfaces causing failure to the blades as the bare carbon steel blades were exposed to the mixed environment. The wear resistance of the CD blade can be improved by distributing the carbide uniformly on the hardfaced coating. Applying extra coating coverage at the critical edge will prevent the exposure of bare carbon steel blade, thus increasing the CD blade lifetime

Abrasive wear failure analysis of tungsten carbide hard facing on carbon steel blade

This study investigate the abrasive wear failure of tungsten carbide hardfacing on continuous digester (CD) blade (carbon steel) in an environment of sulphuric acid and ilmenite ore mixture. Comparison being made on the hardness, thickness and microstructural of the hardfacing between unworn and 3 months old worn blade on few locations around the blade. The cross sections of the blade revealed non-uniform coverage of the hardfacing on the blade for both worn and unworn blade. The edge of the blade has the least amount of hardfacing thickness which with time acts as the point of failure during the wear process. The hardness obtained from both the unworn and worn samples are around 25% lower from the hardfacing electrode manufacturer’s hardness specification. Microstructural micrograph analysis of the hardfacing revealed non uniform size carbide with non-uniform distributed of carbide in the hardfacing layer

Prediction of brittle fracture propagation behaviour of hydroxyapatite (HAp) coating in artificial femoral stem component

Purpose: This study addresses the brittle fracture propagation behaviour modelling of hydroxyapatite (HAp) coating in artificial femoral stem component. Design/methodology/approach: A simple two dimensional flat-on-flat contact configuration finite element model consisting contact pad (bone), Ti-6Al-4V substrate and HAp coating is employed in static simulation. The HAp coating is modelled as elastic layer with pre-microcrack which assumed to be initiated due to stress singularity. Findings: The study revealed that reducing coating thickness, pre-microcrack length and artificial femoral stem elastic modulus along with increasing bone elastic modulus will result in significant stress intensity factor (SIF) to promote brittle fracture propagation behaviour. Research limitations/implications: The influence of coating thickness, pre-microcrack length, bone and artificial femoral stem elastic modulus on fracture behaviour is examined under different stress ratio using J-integral analysis approach. Practical implications: The proposed finite element model can be easily accommodating different Hap coating thickness, pre-microcrack length, bone and artificial femoral stem elastic modulus to perform detailed parametric studies with minimal costly experimental works. Originality/value: Limited research focussing on brittle fracture propagation behaviour of HAp coating in artificial femoral stem component. Thus, present study analysed the influence of coating thickness, pre-microcrack length, bone and artificial femoral stem elastic modulus on stress intensity factor (SIF) of HAp coating

Formulating delamination-fretting wear failure predictive equation in HAp coated hip arthroplasty using multiple linear regression model

Purpose: Present paper addresses the formulation of delamination-fretting wear failure predictive equation in HAp-Ti-6Al-4V interface of hip arthroplasty femoral stem component using multiple linear regression model. Design/methodology/approach: A finite element computational model utilising adaptive meshing algorithm via ABAQUS/Standard user subroutine UMESHMOTION is developed. The developed FE model is employed to examine effect of different HAp-Ti-6Al-4V interface mechanical and tribological properties on delamination-fretting wear behaviour. The FE result is utilised to formulate predictive equations for different stress ratio conditions using multiple linear regression analysis. Findings: Delamination-fretting wear predictive equations are successfully formulated with significant goodness of fit and reliability as a fast failure prediction tool in HAp coated hip arthroplasty. The robustness of predictive equations is validated as good agreement is noted with actual delamination-fretting wear results. Research limitations/implications: The influence of different mechanical and tribological properties such as delamination length, normal loading, fatigue loading, bone elastic modulus and cycle number under different stress ratio on delamination-fretting wear failure is analysed to formulate failure predictive equations. Practical implications: The formulated predictive equation can serve as a fast delamination-fretting wear failure prediction tool in hip arthroplasty femoral stem component. Originality/value: Limited attempt is done to explore the potential of utilizing multiple linear regression model to predict failures in hip arthroplasty. Thus, present study attempt to formulate delamination-fretting wear failure predictive equation in HAp -Ti-6Al-4V interface of hip arthroplasty femoral stem component using multiple linear regression model

Prediction of plastic deformation under contact condition by quasi-static and dynamic simulations using explicit finite element analysis

We compared the quasi-static and dynamic simulation responses on elastic-plastic deformation of advanced alloys using Finite element (FE) method with an explicit numerical algorithm. A geometrical model consisting of a cylinder-on-flat surface contact under a normal load and sliding motion was examined. Two aeroengine materials, Ti-6Al-4V and Super CMV (Cr-Mo-V) alloy, were employed in the FE analysis. The FE model was validated by comparative magnitudes of the FE-predicted maximum contact pressure variation along the contact half-width length with the theoretical Hertzian contact solution. Results show that the (compressive) displacement of the initial contact surface steadily increases for the quasi-static load case, but accumulates at an increasing rate to the maximum level for the dynamic loading. However, the relatively higher stiffness and yield strength of the Super CMV alloy resulted in limited deformation and low plastic strain when compared to the Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The accumulated equivalent plastic strain of the material point at the initial contact position was nearly a thousand times higher for the dynamic load case (for example, 6.592 for Ti-6Al-4V, 1.0 kN) when compared to the quasi-static loading (only 0.0072). During the loading step, the von Mises stress increased with a decreasing and increasing rate for the quasi-static and dynamic load case, respectively. A sudden increase in the stress magnitude to the respective peak value was registered due to the additional constraint to overcome the static friction of the mating surfaces during the sliding step

Prediction of plastic deformation under contact condition by quasi-static and dynamic simulations using explicit finite element analysis

We compared the quasi-static and dynamic simulation responses on elastic-plastic deformation of advanced alloys using Finite element (FE) method with an explicit numerical algorithm. A geometrical model consisting of a cylinder-on-flat surface contact under a normal load and sliding motion was examined. Two aeroengine materials, Ti-6Al-4V and Super CMV (Cr-Mo-V) alloy, were employed in the FE analysis. The FE model was validated by comparative magnitudes of the FE-predicted maximum contact pressure variation along the contact half-width length with the theoretical Hertzian contact solution. Results show that the (compressive) displacement of the initial contact surface steadily increases for the quasi-static load case, but accumulates at an increasing rate to the maximum level for the dynamic loading. However, the relatively higher stiffness and yield strength of the Super CMV alloy resulted in limited deformation and low plastic strain when compared to the Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The accumulated equivalent plastic strain of the material point at the initial contact position was nearly a thousand times higher for the dynamic load case (for example, 6.592 for Ti-6Al-4V, 1.0 kN) when compared to the quasi-static loading (only 0.0072). During the loading step, the von Mises stress increased with a decreasing and increasing rate for the quasi-static and dynamic load case, respectively. A sudden increase in the stress magnitude to the respective peak value was registered due to the additional constraint to overcome the static friction of the mating surfaces during the sliding step