Effect of Mo content on microstructure and Wear resistance of Mo-Fe-B claddings

Mo-Fe-B alloy powder blocks were designed and prepared to produce claddings with Mo2FeB2 phase on Q235 steel using an argon arc welding process. The effects of Mo content on microstructure, phase chemistry, microhardness and wear resistance of claddings were systematically studied. In addition, the formation conditions of hard phase were theoretically analyzed by thermodynamic calculations. The results showed that the claddings consisted of Mo2FeB2, Cr2B3, MoB and FeCr. Additionally, calculated results revealed that the Mo2FeB2 can stably exist in the high- temperature liquid phase and has good thermodynamic stability. Moreover, the maximum microhardness value of claddings was about 1052 HV0.5.The claddings with 30% and 25% Mo contents had better wear resistance.