Hard Coatings with Niobium Applied by Welding: Development and Microstructural Analysis

• Grant number: 25/00425-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Physical Metallurgy
• Principal Investigator: Guilherme Yuuki Koga
• Grantee: Ernesto Simões Strangis Cumino
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The increasing demand for metal components with high resistance to extreme conditions has driven the development of innovative solutions to mitigate the combined effects of corrosion and wear. In this context, metallic coatings applied through welding processes stand out as a promising alternative due to their efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and ease of application. This project aims to develop and characterize high-chromium cast iron coatings with the addition of niobium, produced by arc welding. The alloy will be formulated through the addition of niobium (0-15% by weight) to a commercial tubular electrode. The research includes an initial investigation using thermodynamic calculations based on the CALPHAD method, followed by the production of the coatings and microstructural analysis, as well as hardness testing. It is expected that the results of this study will contribute to the advancement of material technologies, offering more effective and economically viable solutions for the industry, especially in challenging environments subject to intense corrosion and wear. The focus will be on understanding the impact of niobium addition on the mechanical properties, particularly hardness, and on the structure of the coatings, promoting the development of more efficient and durable solutions.