Welding Methods for Production of MMC Coatings Using Particulate-Cored Wire Precursors

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the fabrication of metal-matrix composite (MMC) coatings with welding processes, such as plasma arc welding, using tailored MMC precursor materials such as particulate-cored wires. The methods in this study are designed to obtain specific structures and properties in the coatings. Because the features of the MMC coatings depend on the dynamic temperature field generated by the welding process, thermal modeling and feedback control are implemented to ensure the required thermal field conditions; for example, infrared pyrometry sensing is used in robotic plasma arc welding deposition. The control method used in the thermal process is explained, and the resulting microstructures and hardness properties of the produced fabricated coatings are assessed and evaluated.