Dissolving behavior of tungsten carbide in surface welded using flux-cored wire

The iron-matrix WC wearable composite reinforced with Tungsten Carbide (WC) particles was prepared by the method of flux-cored wire TIG welding. The microstructure and component of the hardfacing layer were investigated. The results indicate that the WC particles have been dissolved, but their shapes were not changed. The reaction and diffusion between WC and iron lead to form low melting point compound, which may be the main reason of the dissolving of WC grains in iron. Melting mode of the flux-cored wire and melting input heat affect the dissolving of WC grains. The small current TIG welding may reduce the dissolving of WC grains. The primary influences factor may be the being time and temperature of welding poor, and that affect elements diffusion accordingly. The elements diffusion affects the strength of the substrate directly. Seeking the best corresponding relation between the dissolving of WC and the substrate strength is the key to increase the wear resistance of the surface welded coating. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.