Investigation on TIG cladding of copper alloy on steel plate

Tungsten inert gas cladding of steel substrate with copper alloy under different processing conditions was investigated with the particular emphasis on the influence of cladding current on the concentration and morphology of Fe solute in the cladding layer and the hardness of the Cu/Fe interface. The application of hot wire was helpful to some extent in improving the spreadability of the filler metal but tended to cause intensive transfer of Fe into the copper layer when the current was higher than 240 A. The increase in Fe concentration in the copper layer followed an exponential relation with the growth of welding current. The morphology of Fe in the copper layer depended on Its concentration. The hardness of copper layer Increased with the welding current and intensively depended on its Fe content. At a welding rate of 3000 mm min^-1, the optimum cladding currents were 210-270 A for the use of cold wire and 210-240 A for the use of hot wire.