Wear Protection
Wear protection extends the service life of components through hard coatings or overlays that withstand abrasion, erosion, and impact.
Physicochemical mechanism of action
Wear protection relies on a hard, resistant surface layer on a tough base body. The layer can be applied by weld cladding, plasma spraying, or thermal spraying. Hard carbides in the layer absorb the abrasion, while the base material absorbs the impacts.
Metallurgical relevance & risks during welding
When weld cladding wear-resistant layers, high hardness gradients occur between the layer and the base material. Without preheating and proper interpass temperature, cracks and spalling are imminent. The layer thickness and the overlay material must match the stress.
Workshop practice & instructions
Select the overlay material according to the stress – abrasion, impact, or heat – and follow the manufacturer's preheat and cooling conditions. After welding, inspect for cracks.