Microstructural Evolution upon 10-wt% Mo Alloying and Laser Surface Melting of M2 High Speed Steels Hardfacings

The article aims to comprehend the microstructural changes, in Plasma Transfer Arc (PTA) deposited M2 high speed steel (HSS) hardfacings upon incorporation of 10 wt% Mo alloying during deposition followed by laser surface melting. PTA deposited hardfacings were produced over 4140 steel. Then Mo alloyed and unalloyed PTA deposits were subjected to laser surface melting (LSM) process. A comprehensive microstructural characterization for all the resultant structures was carried out. Optical metallography using appropriate etching reagents and SEM microscopy in conjunction with XRD techniques were employed to ascertain the matrix structure and carbides morphology. The PTA microstructure was close to equilibrium structure of M2 HSS containing mixture of ferrite/austenite/martensite along with MC, M2C and M6C type carbides. While the LSM of M2 HSS caused higher fraction of martensite and finer grains in the structure resulting in increment in hardness. 10-wt% Mo addition changes the carbides from MC and rod like M2C to fibrous M2C and fishbone like M6C carbides. The LSM of Mo alloyed M2 HSS PTA deposits led to an overall decrease in the fraction of M6C carbides and fibrous M2C carbides accompanied by a decrease in hardness.