Surface modification of low carbon steel substrate by Al-rich clad layer applied by GTAW

Low cost and good properties of low carbon steels introduce this material suitable for a wide variety of industrial applications. Developing overlays cladding with desired properties on the surface of these steels seems to be the best way to increase the corrosion and wear resistances of low carbon steels. In the present research, the solidification sequence and the characteristics of Al base weld cladding on AISI 1006 substrate were studied. The optical and scanning electron microscopic studies revealed the formation of acicular-like intermetallic compounds in the clad overlayer. XRD phase analysis illustrated that the clad layer consisted of ordered Fe3Al and FeAl3 intermetallic compounds in the FeAl intermetallic matrix. The formation of these intermetallics in the Fe–Al overlayer cladding resulted in a significant improvement of hardness and oxidation resistance of Fe–Al cladded samples.