Tribological considerations for failure restoration and maintenance of radial plunger pump against friction and abrasive wear behavior by microwave cladding of Ni-Graphene

Clean and efficient manufacturing techniques are in great demand in modern industrial facilities. New methods are being developed which are cleaner, environment-friendly, economical, and have better mechanical properties, among others. Due to hot corrosion, Tribological components are often subjected to wear and tear. Graphene (Gr) is a promising material with microwave absorption performance due to its self-lubricating properties, low density, and cementite (Fe3C) formation capabilities with iron. This work examined the effect of self-lubricating behavior and surface hardening of plungers of Austenite alloy by Ni-Gr cladding and glazing. Using silicon carbide abrasive media, a pin-on-disc wear tester was utilized for abrasion testing. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis supplemented with a microhardness test were performed to measure the improvement in the properties of clad samples. The results showed that temperature variation influences phase change and mechanical properties. The Ni-Gr cladding showed dense eutectic microstructure at 750° C. XRD’s results revealed that the disintegration of the cladding layer is reduced due to heat treatment along with the generation of the Fe3C phase. In addition, the deposited specimen confirmations maximum wear resistance and hardness characteristics with a minimum wear rate at 750 °C, just above the steel's first critical temperature.