Product Code: PIC06_303

Continuous Wave Nd:YAG Laser Cladding of Stellite 6 Muti-Track Layers on Mild and AISI 4016 Steel
Authors:
M. Franklin, University of Wollongong; Wollongong Australia
Shao Huang, University of Wollongong; Wollongong Australia
M. Brandt, Industrial Research Institute Swinburne, Swinburne University of Technology; Melbourne Australia
A.K. Tieu, University of Wollongong; Wollongong Australia
T. Chandra, University of Wollongong; Wollongong Australia
Presented at PICALO 2006

The level of sliding friction between the mating top centre and centre bowl liner components of a rail freight truck centre bearing provides both positive and negative effects on rail vehicle dynamics. Currently used centre bearing surfaces include AISI 1053 steel top centres mating against unlubricated and lubricated Hadfield steel, and polyethylene centre bowl liners. The wear life of the unlubricated AISI 1053 steel top centre against Hadfield steel is short, whilst the low friction of the lubricated and polyethylene surfaces can be detrimental to vehicle dynamics. This research investigates the friction and wear of existing materials and Stellite 6 clad layers. Stellite 6 coatings were laser clad onto AISI 4016 steel with a continuous wave Nd:YAG laser at 1800 W power using four different processing speeds: 600, 900, 1200 and 1500 mm/min. Laser cladding samples were characterised using x-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in conjunction with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The friction and wear resistance were studied using a tribometer in the pin-on-plate (reciprocating) mode. The results showed that Stellite 6 could enhance the wear behaviour of the mating components, however the friction level was similar to the unlubricated steel against steel surface.