Fe-Cr-C-V hardfacing coatings with molybdenum addition: Wear, corrosion, and cavitation performances

The purpose of this study was to determine how molybdenum content affected the hardfacing coatings made of Fe-Cr-C-V that resist wear, corrosion, and cavitation. The hardfacing process was applied on the S235JR steel by the metal arc welding method. Apart from the chromium-rich M23C6 and M7C3 (M: Cr, Fe) carbides, the presence of molybdenum led to the development of M2C (M: Mo, Fe, Cr) carbides. As molybdenum and carbon concentration decreased, the size and volume fraction of M23C6 and M7C3 carbides tended to reduce. While molybdenum did not significantly alter hardness or wear resistance, it was found to be advantageous in terms of cavitation and corrosion. The coating, including 3 wt% FeMo, demonstrated a 20-fold increase in cavitation resistance compared to the coating devoid of molybdenum. The hardfacing coatings' resistance to corrosion was increased by up to 4.5 times with the addition of molybdenum.