Metallurgical Principle of Alloy J513 PTA Cladding for Elevated Temperature Applications
Metallurgical
Principle of Alloy J513 PTA Cladding for Elevated Temperature Applications
- Fundamental Process Design and Classification of Weldment
C. Paul Qiao
December 13th, 2023
Metallurgy and R&D
L.E. Jones Company
Menominee, MI 49858
Plasma Transferred Arc (PTA) hardfacing has been widely utilized in heavy-duty valvetrain component applications. One of the primary advantages of the PTA hardfacing is its high energy density with which a high powder feeding rate can be achieved. The energy input for common PTA hardfacing process can be designed with adjustment of electric current, welding speed, and the welding voltage (arc length in the case). In addition, the localized heat input in the fusion zone such as cladding bead edges with PTA process can be attuned hence the achievement of desired heat distribution during the hardfacing process.
Alloy J513 is an advanced heat and wear resistant alloy has been mostly applied in cast form for engine valvetrain application. Owing to the high performance exhibited for high temperature application and the ability to be cost-effectively atomized, J513 aimed for other engineering manufacturing processes such as powder metallurgy with sintering process, additive manufacturing with laser power sourcing, and surface cladding with plasma welding process. Besides its superb high temperature wear and corrosion resistance, it is an excellent sustainable alloy solution compared to conventional nickel- and cobalt-based alloys for high temperature engineering applications.
This investigation revealed sound materials joining ability and preferable weldment structure compared to conventional nickel- and cobalt-based alloys applied in these industries. The detailed of weldment structures with multiple substrates were defined. Significant weldment microstructural investigation including fusion zone solidification substructural evaluation was performed. The results obtained from this study clearly manifested that J513 alloy is a sound cladding material for high temperature industry applications.