Investigation of the tribological behavior of the additively manufactured TiC-based cermets by scratch testing

This study deals with the tribological behavior of the TiC-430 L SS cermets fabricated via an additive manufacturing process such as laser powder bed fusion/selective laser melting. A gradient microstructure (finer and coarser morphology) can be observed in the fabricated parts due to SLM`s complex thermal history. Using Rockwell indenter, single and multiple passes scratch tests have been performed as a function of applied load to study the wear mechanism of the binder and matrix phase. A surface 3D profilometer was used to analyze the scratch track variation in terms of scratch width and depth. Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was performed on the scratched cermet parts to study the wear mechanism and microstructural analysis. It has been observed that the scratch hardness increases with increasing load and the same decreases with increasing the number of passes. Similarly, the coefficient of friction increases with increasing load. Cermets with complex microstructural features exhibit high wear resistance under low loads and for higher loads, multiple passes can lead to tribolayer formation.