Enhancing Wear Resistance and Interfacial Properties of Hardfaced AISI 1050 Steel Utilizing an Austenitic Buffer Layer
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59796/jcst.V16N4.2026.216Keywords:
abrasive wear, aisi 1050, austenitic buffer, carbon diffusion, hardfacing, microstructure, smawAbstract
The performance of hardfaced carbon steels is strongly influenced by interfacial integrity and microstructural evolution during welding. This study investigated the effects of an austenitic E309L-16 buffer layer on the microstructure, hardness distribution, and abrasive wear resistance of SMAW-hardfaced AISI 1050 steel. A functionally graded hardfacing architecture incorporating the buffer layer was developed to improve metallurgical compatibility and interfacial stability. Two conditions were examined: direct hardfacing (S1) and buffer-assisted hardfacing (B1). Optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), microhardness measurements, and ASTM G65 abrasion testing were conducted. The results showed that direct hardfacing promoted carbon redistribution toward the interface, resulting in a brittle interfacial region and an abrupt hardness transition. In contrast, the E309L-16 buffer layer moderated carbon redistribution, eliminated the interfacial white band, and promoted a more homogeneous microstructure with a gradual hardness profile. The B1 specimen predominantly exhibited lath martensite and demonstrated superior wear resistance despite its slightly lower peak hardness (586 HV compared with 647 HV for S1). The specific wear rate decreased from (10.08 ± 0.43) × 10⁻⁴ mm³/N·m for the base metal to (4.30 ± 0.10) × 10⁻⁴ mm³/N·m for S1 and further to (3.62 ± 0.11) × 10⁻⁴ mm³/N·m for B1. These findings demonstrate that interfacial engineering using an austenitic buffer layer can improve wear resistance and provide practical guidance for designing durable multilayer hardfacing systems.
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