A study of the solid–liquid interface in cobalt base alloy (Stellite) coatings deposited by fusion welding (TIG)

Microstructural features present at the interface between a weld deposited Stellite 6 hard facing and an austenitic stainless steel substrate are described. Elemental X-ray maps indicate that diffusion of carbon from the liquid Stellite to the austenitic stainless steel takes place along grain boundaries resulting in the formation of chromium carbide “arms” that penetrate along the austenite grain boundaries in the interfacial region.