Properties characterisation of high tribological resistant materials produced by wire arc additive manufacturing method

In this study, material production was successfully carried out using high alloy and medium carbon steel wire with the Plasma Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (P-WAAM) method. The production process conditions were investigated, the parameters were determined, and heat treatment and cryogenic treatment were applied to the produced materials. The chemical and mechanical properties of these materials were compared on untreated, heat treated and heat treated+cryogenic treated samples; Its tribological properties were examined by investigating the changes in microstructure, its effect on tensile strength, wear behavior and hardness. In experimental studies, three materials were deposited on an AISI 304 stainless steel plate using the P-WAAM method using 0,4 C and high alloy (Cr-Si-Mn) steel wire. When the produced materials were compared, the formation of martensite and austenite islands was observed in the untreated upper region sample microstructure, and a more frequent bainite structure was observed in the lower region sample, as well as martensite and austenite islands. Due to the Cr (4,4) element, non-homogeneous carbide grains were observed. A more pronounced martensitic structure emerged as a result of rapid cooling in samples quenched and tempered by heat treatment. It was determined that carbides precipitated homogeneously after tempering, as expected. It was observed that microstructure of the samples applied to cryogenic treatment showed no significant difference after the heat treatment. However, it was clearly seen that finer grained carbides appeared as homogeneous precipitation within the microstructure. Macro and microhardness values, fracture toughness and wear values improved with heat treatment and subsequent cryogenic treatment. In tensile tests, an increase in tensile and yield strengths was observed with heat treatment and cryogenic treatment. Keywords: Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing, Mikrostructure, Mechaninal Properties, Tribology, Medium Carbon Steel, Cryogenic Process.